{"id":85306,"date":"2025-03-21T17:37:53","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T17:37:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/namibia\/all-news\/namibias-35th-independence-day-anniversary-and-swearing-in-of-the-5th-president-of-namibia"},"modified":"2025-04-18T18:43:25","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T18:43:25","slug":"namibias-35th-independence-day-anniversary-and-swearing-in-of-the-5th-president-of-namibia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/namibia\/all-news\/namibias-35th-independence-day-anniversary-and-swearing-in-of-the-5th-president-of-namibia","title":{"rendered":"Namibia\u2019s 35th Independence Day Anniversary and Swearing-in of the 5th President of Namibia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Namibia. <\/strong><\/span>SHELLEYGAN PETERSEN<\/p>\n

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has likened corruption to treason.<\/p>\n

The newly sworn-in president said this in her inauguration speech at State House in Windhoek on Friday.<\/p>\n

She used a quote of former Tanzanian president Julius Nyerere, who stated that corruption should be seen as treason.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I agree,\u201d she said to the quote.<\/p>\n

The president said corruption can lead to frustration which will ignite citizens to overthrow the government.<\/p>\n

Nandi-Ndaitwah called for mutually beneficial relations with countries.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want win-win trade agreements in the region, continent and globally,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Nandi-Ndaitwah further set out her priorities for her tenure, naming improving healthcare and education as well as growing investments.<\/p>\n

Nandi-Ndaitwah is setting Africa\u2019s bar high \u2013 Tanzanian president<\/b><\/p>\n

SHELLEYGAN PETERSEN<\/p>\n

TANZANIAN president Samia Suluhu Hassan says Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has set the bar high for African girls.<\/p>\n

Nandi-Ndaitwah was inaugurated on Friday as the fifth and first woman president of Namibia at State House.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour victory is the moment of prise for African women,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Hassen said Nandi-Ndaitwah is known as \u2018Mama Swapo\u2019 in Tanzania after she played a key role in the coordination of the liberation struggle for Swapo in Tanzania.<\/p>\n

The president called on African leaders to stand together as they aim for economic growth and prosperity.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe must stand tall to be each others gatekeepers and not each others falls,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

BREAKING NEWS… Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah etched her name in the annals of history on Friday after being sworn in as Namibia\u2019s first woman president.She was sworn in by chief Peter Shivute at State House in Windhoek, with the event witnessed by various heads of state from Africa and further afield.Nandi-Ndaitwah has previously served as vice president, deputy prime minister and minister of international relations, as well as in various Cabinet portfolios in previous years.More to follow.Update: Martin Endjala<\/p>\n

Nandi-Ndaitwah in history books, sworn in as first woman president<\/p>\n

#Namibia@35 | The Guest of Honour at the inauguration of Namibia’s 5th President, Tanzanian President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, hailed the presidency of Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as a milestone for women across Africa.<\/p>\n

Speaking during the Independence Anniversary celebrations at State House, Dr. Mbumba also thanked the leaders and… pic.twitter.com\/exCJYmcu1d<\/p>\n

Mbumba acknowledges eventful tenure on last day of service<\/b><\/p>\n

SHELLEYGAN PETERSEN<\/p>\n

PRESIDENT Nangolo Mbumba says his less-than-two-year term was more than eventful.<\/p>\n

Mbumba gave his farewell remarks to Namibians during the inauguration of incoming president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Friday.<\/p>\n

He took over the reins after former president Hage Geingob died in 2024.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo say my tenure was eventful would be an understatement,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Mbumba expressed confidence in the leadership of Nandi-Ndaitwah, saying Namibia can look forward to a future \u201cfilled with hope, promise and prosperity\u201d under her.<\/p>\n

The president further thanked Namibians, who he said are his \u201cbosses\u201d.<\/p>\n

LONG TIME COMING… Outgoing president Nangolo Mbumba says it has been a long time coming for Namibia to be led by a female president. He said this on Friday at State House as he delivered his last speech as president to the public.Photo: Martin Endjala<\/p>\n

WU AND THE TOP BRASS… Businesswoman Stina Wu is attending the inauguration of president-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House in Windhoek on Friday. Wu also took some time to interact with Namibian Police chief Joseph Shikongo (centre) and Namibian Correctional Service commissioner general Raphael Hamunyela (left). Photo: Contributed<\/p>\n

IPC leader Itula \u2018not invited\u2019 for presidential inauguration<\/b><\/p>\n

TIMO SHIHEPO<\/p>\n

Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leader Panduleni Itula has been snubbed for the inauguration ceremony of president-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.<\/p>\n

The event, which coincides with the Independence Day celebration, is taking place at State House in Windhoek on Friday.<\/p>\n

Traditionally, the leader of the opposition party is invited to such events, but an invitation was not extended to Itula, despite him being the head of the official opposition and having been the second-placed candidate in the presidential election won by Nandi-Ndaitwah.<\/p>\n

Itula is not a member of parliament, after opting not to put his name on the IPC\u2019s list of National Assembly candidates before last year\u2019s elections.<\/p>\n

He now appears to have been snubbed for the presidential inauguration ceremony and Independence Day celebration, with his name not appearing on the official programme. He has also not been seen at State House on Friday.<\/p>\n

The Namibian has obtained information on where Itula is, confirming via a WhatsApp message that he was not invited.<\/p>\n

In the message, Itula said: \u201cI received no invitation from any entity. Our members of parliament all received invitations directly sent to the IPC office. Our vice president as well through our office as mayor but his tag was sent to chief regional officer of Erongo in Swakopmund.\u201d<\/p>\n

Questions sent to State House protocol and the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation were not responded to.<\/p>\n

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE… The European Union’s ambassador to Namibia, Ana Beatriz Martins, has wished Namibia a happy 35th independence celebration. She also congratulated president-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on her election as president.<\/p>\n

THE historic inauguration of Namibia\u2019s first woman president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has been relocated to State House following heavy rain in Windhoek and surrounding areas.<\/p>\n

Nandi-Ndaitwah\u2019s inauguration relocated due heavy rain<\/b>
\nTHE historic inauguration of Namibia\u2019s first woman president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has been relocated to State House following heavy rain in Windhoek and surrounding areas.<\/b><\/p>\n

This was announced on Thursday by outgoing Cabinet secretary George Simataa via the national broadcaster, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe celebrations at the Independence Stadium were cancelled due to heavy rain across the country,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The relocation follows warnings from the Namibia Meteorological Service of heavy rain and thunderstorms this week, which has damaged roads in Windhoek and coastal areas.<\/p>\n

Simataa added that a limited number of people will be accommodated at the State House inauguration. Ten presidents are expected to attend the event.<\/p>\n

Mbumba salutes Namibian women for breaking glass ceiling<\/p>\n\r\n