Africa-Press – Ethiopia. Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, has been sworn in as the first female president of Namibia, a southwestern country on the brink of an oil and gas boom.
Nandi-Ndaitwah became one of the few women leaders on the African continent, following a ceremony on Friday attended by heads of state from several African countries including Angola, South Africa and Tanzania.
Outgoing leader Mbumba hands power to Nandi-Ndaitwah at a ceremony coinciding with the country’s 35th Independence Day.
In her inaugural speech, Nandi-Ndaitwah acknowledged her historic election, but also said that Namibians elected her for her competence and merit.
She added that while the country has seen progress since independence, “there’s a lot that needs to be done.”
Previously in the post of vice president for a year, she is a veteran of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) that led the sparsely populated and uranium-rich country to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990.
Nandi-Ndaitwah secured 58 percent of the vote in the chaotic November elections, which were extended several times after logistical failures led to major delays.
Namibia is witnessing one of its “foremost daughters breaking through the glass ceiling”, outgoing leader Mbumba said. “It has been a long time coming.”
On the eve of her inauguration, Nandi-Ndaitwah said tackling unemployment was a priority.
“In the next five years we must produce at least 500,000 jobs,” she told South Africa’s national broadcaster SABC, adding it would require an investment of 85 billion Namibian dollars (4.67 billion USD).
Key sectors for job creation are agriculture, fishing and the creative and sports industries, she said.
She appealed for unity after political divisions surfaced during the elections, which the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), the youthful opposition, sought to annul in a failed court action.
“We can make our politics during the campaign and so on but once it’s over, we must build Namibia together,” she said.
For More News And Analysis About Ethiopia Follow Africa-Press
