Nandi-Ndaitwah praised for empowering women

Some former African leaders have lauded president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah for her new Cabinet, which includes nine women.

The Cabinet comprises 14 ministers in total.

Two of Namibia’s three branches of power are women-led, with Nandi-Ndaitwah at the helm of the executive, and Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila being the speaker of the legislative branch.

Former Malawian president Joyce Banda this weekend highlighted Nandi-Ndaitwah’s extensive experience, saying: “We’ve had very good times.

We’ve supported one another. I started talking about this day a year ago.

“As soon as I knew she was a candidate, I knew Namibians would give her the mandate.”

South Africa’s former deputy leader, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka also conveyed her excitement about Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration, predicting that she “will lead in such a way that she will bring everybody [together], and she will continue to be a role model for many other young women, and in fact women of all ages and people in general.”

Mlambo-Ngcuka was among several African leaders who attended the president’s inauguration.

Political analyst Erika Thomas emphasises the need for unity in the country. She says Nandi-Ndaitwah’s picks for the Cabinet conveys that there is no tolerance of internal conflict.

“If we engage in these petty fights among ourselves, . . . when will we have time to deal with our country’s problems?” she asks.

Thomas urges outgoing ministers and members of parliament (MPs) to accept the change in leadership and accept that their time in power has ended.
“Give another person a chance,” she says.

“Those are not permanent positions. You are a servant of the people, and you have to believe that,” she says, criticising the “arrogance” of some leaders.

“They forgot why they were there. We, the people, are their masters,” she says.

Thomas calls for national unity and unwavering support of Namibia’s new leadership.

“In the spirit of ubuntu, let us rally behind our leaders,” she says.

Thomas highlights the importance of focusing on the nation’s pressing issues, identifying poverty, unemployment, hunger, and division as primary challenges.

Regarding the new Cabinet, Thomas cautioned against hasty judgements. “We must give them a fair chance,” she says.

MP Elma Dienda says the president selected a team with considerable experience.

She singles out education minister Sanet Steenkamp, noting her extensive background as a valuable asset.

However, Dienda raises concerns about the merging of basic education, higher education, youth and sport, as well as culture and arts into a single ministry, suggesting it may be too demanding.

“That ministry will be too big for two people to run,” she says.

Steenkamp and Dino Ballotti are set to head this portfolio.

Dienda acknowledges the strategic move to secure Swapo’s control in parliament, saying: “She played it well to bring the eight appointees to become ministers and make sure that parliament, the legislature part, is fully packed with Swapo MPs, otherwise they’ll lose grip there.”

She is disappointed over the departure of ministers with valuable political experience, such as Iipumbu Shiimi, the former finance minister, and former justice minister Yvonne Dausab.

Parliamentarian Esther Muinjangue says the new Cabinet was chosen based on members’ abilities and capabilities.

“Their selection is based on their potential and credentials, not solely on their gender,” she says.

Muinjangue advises against premature judgement, saying: “We should not judge a book by its cover. We need to read the book.”

She acknowledges appointments like that of Steenkamp, which has been well-received due to her experience.