Q&A: Nandi-Ndaitwah lays cards on table

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah outlined her plans to tackle unemployment, boost local industries, reform land policy and promote inclusive leadership in a recent interview with Al Jazeera.

Here follows a shortened version of the interview:

Al Jazeera (AJ): You have long served your country – from being a teenage freedom fighter to occupying the top executive office. How do you feel, and what do you plan to do with that opportunity?

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (NNN): It is an honour and privilege that the people of Namibia have given me this opportunity.

It’s not something that has come because of me personally, because I’m a woman, but because the people of Namibia have seen what is in me that can be used in the service of the Namibian people.

Since independence, the people of Namibia have shown their trust and confidence in Swapo to guide our developmental agenda.

And definitely, a lot has been achieved. And that was made possible by the maintenance of peace and stability in our country.

AJ: Your rise comes at the same time that Swapo’s popularity has significantly declined, and liberation parties across the region are losing youth support. How will your presidency be different from previous governments?

NNN: I have to tell you that the result of the election for us is that the people are just giving us a message that they still love and have trust in Swapo.

However, there are areas we need to seriously consider. And one of them is the high unemployment rate, particularly among the youth, which we are experiencing in our country.

One has to really understand how we reached that high unemployment rate. There have been so many factors – some, if not all, beyond the control of any political party.

And that is the situation we are finding across the region.

Our economies are still growing. And agriculture . . . since our independence in 1990, we have never experienced good rainfalls.

AJ: You mentioned one of the biggest problems facing the country, which is youth unemployment. It’s at more than 40%. You’ve pledged radical shifts to fix the country’s high levels of poverty and unemployment. What will you do?

NNN: We are going to refocus on the sectors we see can grow the economy and create the necessary jobs.

The Namibian economy is mineral-based. And for a long time, we have not really fully invested in value addition.

That’s why our Cabinet has taken a decision to pay special attention to value addition . . .

We will engage our neighbours to go into the processing industry – agro-processing – which will also create jobs and solve the problem of food insecurity.

We are talking about industries in which many young people are participating – in addition to our mining industry.

We also talk about our fishing industry. And now we have discovered oil and gas, and we should derive benefits from them.

AJ: Can we expect in the land distribution bill you’re working on that it will be more assertive – to guarantee a more equal distribution of land in Namibia?

NNN: Yes, we are aiming for that. And when we talk about land in Namibia, we are not just talking about agricultural land.

We are also talking about land in municipal areas, where people have to build their houses.

When it comes to agricultural land, in our election manifesto, we made a commitment that in the next five years, we have to make sure at least 130 000 hectares of land is distributed – particularly to the landless people.

AJ: And do you believe this can be done within your five-year term?

NNN: Yes, it can be done. We are committed. And remember, we are not starting from scratch. We are building on the foundations that have already been laid. The political will is there, and the systems are being strengthened to fast-track this process.

AJ: Let me ask you about your Cabinet. You have made international headlines by appointing a women-majority Cabinet– something rare in global politics. What was your motivation behind that decision?

NNN: Women in Namibia have long contributed to our liberation and development, yet they have been under-represented in leadership. I believe it’s time to correct that imbalance.

These appointments are not just symbolic – these are competent, qualified leaders who are ready to deliver.

By including more women, we bring in diverse perspectives essential to solving complex problems.

– Compiled by Feni Hiveluah

– Read the rest of the interview on The Namibian’s platforms.