Women Rise to Top-Three Positions in Namibia in Historic First

GOOBJOOG NEWS|WINDHOEK: Women now occupy the top-three positions in Namibia following the election and swearing in of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Alongside President Nandi-Ndaitwah, 64-year-old Vice President Lucia Witbooi and Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila complete the top three seats in Namibia’s political structure.

This makes Namibia the only African country with a female President, Vice President and Speaker of Parliament. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila made history as the first woman to serve as Speaker, and Witbooi is celebrated as the second female Vice President in Namibia, and only the 18th female Vice President, or deputy president, in the entire African continent.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah took office in on Friday following her election on December 4, 2024 and subsequent swearing in on March 21, 2025.

Besides the top echelons, women also make a significant presence in the cabinet. Out of the 14 ministers sworn in, eight are women while another seven occupy deputy ministerial positions.

After Namibia gained independence in 1990, Netumbo held several key ministerial roles, including Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister of Women Affairs and Child Welfare, and Minister of Information and Broadcasting, among others. In 2015, she was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for International Relations and Cooperation.

She became the Vice President of Namibia on February 4, 2024, and later assumed the role of Vice President of Swapo party in 2017.