Namibia announces March 21 inauguration of 1st woman president

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By James Kunda

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - Namibia’s first woman president-elect, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, will take office on March 21 in a ceremony to coincide with the country’s 35th Independence Day, according to incumbent President Nangolo.

“Let us roll up our sleeves and put in the hard work ahead of the inauguration of the new government on March 21st," Mbumba said in announcing the date.

President-elect Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, incumbent vice president for Namibia and the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), won the elections in November with 57.31% of the vote, beating 14 rivals and crossing the 50% threshold to avoid a runoff.

Her victory extended SWAPO’s rule in Namibia since independence.

She succeeds Mbumba, who has served as interim president for a year since the death of the third president, Hage Geingob, in February of last year.

Namibia gained independence from Germany in 1990.