MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has congratulated Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on her groundbreaking election as Namibia’s first female president. Sharing her sentiments on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, December 5, 2024, Sirleaf celebrated this historic achievement, highlighting its importance for Namibia and its inspiration for women leaders globally.
“I extend my congratulations to Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on her election as Namibia’s first female president. Having faced similar challenges in my own journey, I deeply understand the barriers women must overcome to attain such leadership positions. This milestone will undoubtedly inspire women around the world,” Sirleaf wrote.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, achieved a decisive victory in Namibia’s November 2024 general elections, securing 57% of the vote. Her election marks a transformative moment for Namibia, breaking gender barriers and reinforcing the nation’s democratic progress since its independence in 1990. She will be inaugurated on March 21, 2025, as Namibia’s fifth president.
A veteran politician and advocate for equality, Nandi-Ndaitwah brings decades of experience to her new role. Born on October 29, 1952, in Onamutai, she has held prominent positions in Namibian politics, including serving as Deputy Prime Minister from 2015 to 2024 and as Minister of International Relations and Cooperation from 2012 to 2015. In 2017, she made history as the first woman elected as Vice President of the SWAPO party and later became its first female presidential candidate in 2024.
Her academic accomplishments include a master’s degree in diplomatic studies from Keele University in the United Kingdom, alongside qualifications in public administration and international relations, which further underscore her readiness for leadership.
The African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, also extended his congratulations to Nandi-Ndaitwah following Namibia’s peaceful electoral process. In a statement issued on November 4, 2024, Mahamat praised the country’s commitment to democracy and thanked Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe, the former Vice President of Uganda, for leading the African Union Election Observation Mission to Namibia.
