In Namibia, a historic presidential election is underway with a 72-year-old woman, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, emerging as a strong contender to become the country's first female leader. Nandi-Ndaitwah, a former independence movement activist, currently serves as the vice president and is the ruling SWAPO party's presidential candidate.
SWAPO, which has been in power for 34 years since Namibia gained independence in 1990, is facing challenges due to high unemployment and economic difficulties, particularly among the youth. This trend of discontent has been observed in other countries in the region, leading to significant election upsets.
Neighboring countries like South Africa, Botswana, and Mauritius have witnessed changes in leadership after long-standing ruling parties were defeated in recent elections. Mozambique also faced allegations of vote rigging and protests following its election results in October.
About 1.4 million Namibians are registered to vote in this election, which will determine the president and Parliament composition for the next five years. SWAPO played a crucial role in the country's fight for independence from apartheid South Africa.
Nandi-Ndaitwah has emphasized the importance of attracting foreign investment to address poverty in Namibia, leveraging the country's rich natural resources such as diamonds, uranium, and offshore oil and gas reserves. She aims to ensure that the Namibian people benefit from these resources.
With 14 other candidates in the presidential race, including Panduleni Itula representing the Independent Patriots for Change party, a runoff may be held if no candidate secures over 50% of the votes. The election results are expected by the weekend.
Nandi-Ndaitwah's platform includes job creation, particularly targeting the high unemployment rate among young people. She has pledged significant investment to generate over 500,000 jobs in the next five years, a plan that has drawn both support and skepticism.
Women's issues, such as reproductive rights, equal pay, and healthcare, are also significant concerns for voters in Namibia, a country with vast deserts and a sparse population. The nation faces challenges like climate shocks and droughts, prompting authorities to take measures like culling wild animals to provide food during times of scarcity.
