Faith Nyasuguta
Namibia’s President-elect, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has pledged bold reforms to address poverty and unemployment in the country. Speaking at her first press conference since her historic victory in last week’s election, the 72-year-old leader declared, “It’s not going to be business as usual. We must have radical shifts in addressing the plight of our people.”
Nandi-Ndaitwah, set to take office in March, will become the first woman to lead Namibia, a nation that has been under SWAPO party rule since its independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990. She hinted at a departure from some of her party’s traditional approaches, emphasizing the urgency of land reform and wealth redistribution to combat economic inequality.
While Namibia is classified as an upper-middle-income country by the World Bank, it remains one of the most unequal societies globally. A 2021 government report revealed that 43% of Namibians live in multidimensional poverty, which includes factors like limited access to education, healthcare, and basic services.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory, with approximately 57% of the vote, has not come without controversy. Opposition parties, including the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), have alleged voter suppression and technical irregularities, such as shortages of ballot papers, during the election process. The IPC has vowed to challenge the results in court.
In response, the President-elect dismissed these allegations, stating, “I am not even listening to those critics.” The electoral commission has defended the process, affirming that the election was free and fair while urging citizens to accept the outcome.
OIL EXPLORATION AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT
Namibia, home to around 3 million people, has recently gained attention as an oil exploration hub. Companies like TotalEnergies and Shell have announced significant discoveries in the region. However, development may be slowed by the high gas content in some fields.
Nandi-Ndaitwah did not elaborate on her plans for the oil and gas sector but emphasized that foreign direct investment must align with Namibia’s terms. Her SWAPO party’s manifesto highlights a commitment to increasing local content and participation in the energy sector, though no concrete timelines or targets have been set.
Graham Hopwood, executive director of the Institute for Public Policy Research in Windhoek, noted that SWAPO’s continued governance provides stability for investors. “As long as investors are consulted, they will likely feel confident about the prospects in Namibia’s energy sector,” he said.
Until Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration, interim President Nangolo Mbumba will continue leading the nation. Expectations are high for the incoming leader to deliver on her promises of transformative change, marking a new chapter in Namibia’s history.
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