Southern Africa’s desert nation of Namibia swore in its first woman president Friday after Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah won elections that extended the ruling party’s 35-year grip on power.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, became one of the few women to lead an African nation during a ceremony attended by heads of state from several African countries, including Angola, South Africa, and Tanzania.
Previously serving as vice president, Nandi-Ndaitwah is a veteran of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), which led the sparsely populated, uranium-rich country to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990.
The handover of power took place during a ceremony attended by outgoing president Nangolo Mbumba, 83, and coincided with the 35th anniversary of Namibia’s independence. The event was relocated from Independence Stadium to State House due to rare heavy rains.
The crowd erupted in applause and cheers as Nandi-Ndaitwah, popularly known as NNN, took the oath of office.
Before delivering her address, she called on fellow African women leaders in the audience, including Liberia’s Nobel Peace laureate and former president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, to stand. Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the only other woman currently leading an African nation, was also in attendance.
Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized that while her election would inspire other women, it was important to clarify: “I was not elected because I am a woman, but on merit.”
She added, “As women, we should not seek election to positions of responsibility simply because we are women, but because we are capable members of our society.”
