Namibia is on the brink of a new era, one that will be transformative.
The election of president-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is not just a milestone for gender equality, but a testament to the trust Namibians have in her vision and capabilities.
Nandi-Ndaitwah is a seasoned public servant who has served this country in various portfolios and levels prior to contesting for the Presidency.
I’ve had the privilege of spending time with her, and every interaction has been a journey, learning from her wisdom and understanding her commitment to ‘unity in diversity, natural resources beneficiation, and youth empowerment for sustainabledevelopment’.
With about 57% of eligible Namibian voters coting for Nandi-Ndaitwah, her victory is a significant achievement for boys and girls.
“I am not elected because I am a woman, but because I am a Namibian citizen with the quality and capability to lead this country,” she said afterwards.
As the first woman to hold the Presidency, Nandi-Ndaitwah will be supported by first gentleman Epafras Denga Ndaitwah, a retired lieutenant general, who will bring his own strengths to this historic presidency.
Together, I foresee both contributing in their respective roles to ensure that men and women across the country are empowered and advanced.
CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP
From the outset, the president-elect has made it clear that the next five years will not be business as usual.
She has laid the groundwork for a governance style that prioritises service delivery, economic progression, and inclusive growth.
From combating youth unemployment to improving healthcare, strengthening education, and tackling gender-based violence, her vision for the future is clear, but her agenda needs every Namibian to do their part.
As a nation, we have placed an overreliance on politicians and political offices without necessarily asking ourselves what we can do in our own capacity to help our leaders work towards the common goal.
As citizens we have a responsibility to ensure that we hold our leaders accountable as well.
This is my call to every Namibian: Rally behind our president-elect and ensure we achieve the goals set out.
THE YOUTH AGENDA
The president-elect’s commitment to empowering young people is worth noting. It’s not just about what she says, but what she does. Her belief in youth potential is clear in her actions. I’ve been given what I consider to be the greatest generational honour of my life – the chance to serve Namibia in the National Assembly.
My appointment to Swapo’s parliamentary list is a clear indication of Nandi-Ndaitwah’s belief in young people and our ability to shape policy and drive meaningful change. It’s proof that young people are capable of influencing policy direction and pushing the youth agenda forward.
LEADERSHIP KNOWS NO AGE
Her age may be questioned by some, but let’s be clear: Age has no bearing on leadership. It’s about vision, dedication, and the ability to inspire others. As someone who has been told I’m ‘too young to lead’, I firmly believe age should never be a barrier to leadership. An individual’s ability to lead should be based on their vision and their passion for service.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership comes with the embodiment of intergenerational leadership, as she pointed out during Swapo’s manifesto launch: “We are seeing a youthful crop of people heading for parliament, alongside committed, experienced, and mature people to provide mentorship and direction.”
Over to you, madam president-elect.
– Fenny Tutjavi is the University of Namibia’s student representative council congress executive secretary general for 2024, and has been nominated by Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to serve in the parliament next year.
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