Mbumba leads tributes for Nandi-Ndaitwah's historic win

Outgoing president Nangolo Mbumba has led the tributes streaming in for Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s historic victory in last week's presidential election, in which she emerged as the country’s first-ever elected female head of state.The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) announced Nandi-Ndaitwah as president-elect on Tuesday night, after she secured more than 57% of the vote, while her closest rival – Dr Panduleni Itula of Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) – garnered 26% of the vote.While Nandi-Ndaitwah performed marginally better than former president Hage Geingob’s 56% in 2019, the dwindling fortunes of her Swapo Party continued unabated. Swapo won the election by a slender 53%, down from 65% attained in 2019.The ruling party shed 12 of its current seats in the National Assembly, winning only 51, compared to 63 seats won in 2019. There were 96 seats up for grabs in the election.In her acceptance speech on Tuesday night, Nandi-Ndaitwah said: "As I accept this result, I want to say once again, on behalf of the Swapo Party, that the Namibian nation has voted for peace and stability, unity in diversity, natural resource beneficiation and youth empowerment for sustainable development."She added, "We will achieve this through economic transformation. It was in this same room in 2019 when our third president, the late Dr. Hage Geingob – may his soul rest in eternal peace – stood here and said, 'Namibians, we heard you'. Today, I say to the Namibian people, as we have been emphasising throughout the campaign, that for us in the Swapo Party and the team I will lead, we have made commitments."Lost seatsSwapo’s dismal performance means a staggering number of its current Cabinet ministers, totalling nine, did not make the cut, with many hoping to be included in Nandi-Ndaitwah’s eight non-voting nominees to parliament in March next year.The affected ministers are Peya Mushelenga (international relations), Tom Alweendo (mines and energy), Itah Kandjii-Murangi (higher education), Frans Kapofi (defence), Utoni Nujoma (labour), Christine //Hoebes (presidential affairs), Erastus Uutoni (urban and rural development), Obeth Kandjoze (national planning) and Anna Nghipondoka (basic education).Five other ministers, including Kalumbi Shangula (health), John Mutorwa (works and deputy prime minister), Doreen Sioka (gender), Albert Kawana (home affairs) and Calle Schlettwein (agriculture), had announced prior to the election that they were exiting Cabinet voluntarily to head into retirement.IPC impressesIPC, which is disputing the outcome of the election, surged to second place with 20 seats, toppling the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), which could only muster five seats – a notable drop from the 16 it won in 2019. IPC is now the official opposition party.With this performance, PDM now finds itself behind the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement, which emerged as the surprise package in this election with six seats in the National Assembly. The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) increased its seats from four to five.The United Democratic Movement (UDF) won two seats. Outside these group of parties, no other formation has won more than one seat.Landmark winIn a statement yesterday, Mbumba lauded Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory as a milestone, making her as the country’s first woman president-elect.Nandi-Ndaitwah, who also serves as Swapo vice-president, secured a victory with 638 560 votes, compared to Itula’s 284 186 votes.Mbumba also congratulated the ECN for fulfilling its constitutional mandate, although the electoral body has been roundly condemned elsewhere for the shambolic manner in which the election was held. Former prime minister Nahas Angula described the election as the worst in post-independence Namibia. Mbumba said: “In 1990, we, the Namibian people, undertook a journey of freedom and socio-economic development. Since then, we have established ourselves as a peaceful nation, focused on strengthening our democracy and advancing our developmental aspirations.“On the eve of the elections, I reminded the Namibian people about our collective pledge to peace and encouraged them to vote. In large numbers, young and old braved the scorching Namibian sun to exercise their democratic right. Democracy requires constant vigilance and nurturing, and Namibians, in their diversity, demonstrated patience and determination at the ballot box,” he said.Support NetumboMbumba urged Namibians to rally behind Nandi-Ndaitwah as she prepares to take office on 21 March next year.“Through their vote, Namibian citizens nurtured their democracy and played their part in nation-building. In the days and months ahead, we should all provide the president-elect with the necessary support to enable her to successfully assume the important duties of Head of State,” he said.Mbumba also congratulated the newly elected members of the National Assembly and urged them to approach their legislative duties with diligence.“As incoming members of the National Assembly, I encourage you to be exemplary and to prepare thoroughly for the legislative tasks ahead. For some, it might not be the electoral outcome they had hoped for. However, in a democracy, there are always winners and losers – and there is always a next time,” he emphasised.

Mbumba leads tributes for Nandi-Ndaitwah's historic win

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Namibian Sun 2025-01-09

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Mbumba leads tributes for Nandi-Ndaitwah's historic win

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Namibian Sun 2025-01-09

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