Sombre mood marks Nandi-Ndaitwah’s announcement as Namibia’s first woman president

No cheers, no ululation, no fireworks – just a few hands clapping across the room as Namibia’s president for the next five years is announced.

Press cameras click and flash as she makes her way to the podium.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s expression is hard to read.

Earlier, when she took her seat before the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) press conference, she exchanged a hug with president Nangolo Mbumba – with no smile between the two.

The ceremony started with heads bowed and eyes closed in prayer.

As the country listened to the results of 2024’s presidential and National Assembly elections being announced at the ECN’s headquarters in Windhoek on Tuesday, one could hear a pin drop.

The atmosphere in the room – and on the streets – was sombre. No cars were hooting, brandishing blue, red and green flags, as with previous election announcements.

This time was different.

Before the presidential announcement, ECN chairperson Elsie Nghikembua was rapidly announcing other final results after a tense six days since 27 November.

“I, furthermore, declare that Netumbo Ndemupelila Nandi-Ndaitwah has been declared duly elected as president of the Republic of Namibia,” she eventually said, adding that Namibia’s first woman president won with 57% of the vote.

The applause was subtle and the room tense.

Namibia’s first woman president-elect rose from her seat and reservedly thanked Namibians and her party for their support.

“I would like to thank the Namibian people for once again having shown their confidence and trust in the Swapo party to continue providing guidance,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

She faced a near-empty first row, normally occupied by opposition leaders.

But they, disgruntled with the election process, boycotted Tuesday’s announcement.

Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda, however, attended the event, saying he wanted to face those who “stole the elections”.

“We are not here to legitimise anything [the election results], and we maintain our position that this election was not free and fair,” he told the media.

The hall cleared out soon after Mbumba and the president-elect left.

Many Namibians on social media started expressing concern over the future of the country’s democracy.

Outside the ECN building, cars were not hooting, and celebratory cheers did not fill the capital’s streets.

Swapo supporters, however, shared videos of a joyful Nandi-Ndaitwah being congratulated after the announcement.

The president-elect was clearly more upbeat and welcomed supporters congratulating her, such as activist Dimbulukeni Nauyoma, who recently rejoined Swapo after co-founding AR.

Nandi-Ndaitwah was particularly excited to see Ester Simon, who was the first-ever woman president of the Namibia National Students Organisation.

In a video, the two embraced joyfully.