Namibia’s ruling party has appointed Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as vice president, putting her in a position to become the country’s first female presidential candidate when the current leader steps down in March 2024.
During a lengthy party congress that ended Monday night, members of Namibia’s ruling Swapo party re-elected the country’s deputy prime minister, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, as its vice president.
According to the Swapo constitution, Nandi-Ndaitwah will be the party’s presidential candidate when the incumbent, Hage Geingob, finishes his two-term limit in power in around 15 months.
Nandi-Ndaitwah easily defeated two other candidates in the first round, including her boss, the current prime minister.
“The point I am trying to make is there is no easy time in life,” she said. “So, every time it has its own challenges and I can tell you, whatever the challenges, there are always people who are ready to face those challenges and I am one of those. This is the time I am given in order to take the position. I am asking party members to give me that opportunity and I am ready.” she said in an interview.
The party conference had an attendance of almost 700 delegates. Observers from neighbouring nations, such as Mike Bimha, national political commissar for Zimbabwe’s ZANU-PF party, were among the delegates. He praised Namibia’s ruling party for ushering in new leadership through democratic processes and systems.