Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
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| 5th President of Namibia | |
| Assumed office 21 March 2025 |
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| Prime Minister | Elijah Ngurare |
| Vice President | Lucia Witbooi |
| Preceded by | Nangolo Mbumba |
| 3rd Vice President of Namibia | |
| In office 4 February 2024 – 21 March 2025 |
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| President | Nangolo Mbumba |
| Preceded by | Nangolo Mbumba |
| Succeeded by | Lucia Witbooi |
| Deputy Prime Minister of Namibia | |
| In office 21 March 2015 – 4 February 2024 |
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| Prime Minister | Saara Kuugongelwa |
| Preceded by | Marco Hausiku |
| Succeeded by | John Mutorwa |
| Minister of International Relations and Cooperation | |
| In office 4 December 2012 – 4 February 2024 |
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| Prime Minister |
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| Preceded by | Utoni Nujoma |
| Succeeded by | Peya Mushelenga |
| Minister of Environment and Tourism | |
| In office 21 March 2010 – 4 December 2012 |
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| Prime Minister | Nahas Angula |
| Preceded by | Willem Konjore |
| Succeeded by | Uahekua Herunga |
| Minister of Information and Broadcasting | |
| In office 2005–2010 |
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| Prime Minister | Nahas Angula |
| Preceded by | Nangolo Mbumba |
| Succeeded by | Joel Kaapanda |
| Minister of Women Affairs and Child Welfare | |
| In office 2000–2005 |
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| Prime Minister | Hage Geingob |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Marlene Mungunda |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Netumbo Nandi
29 October 1952 Onamutai, South West Africa (now Namibia) |
| Political party | SWAPO |
| Spouse | Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah |
| Education |
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Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (born 29 October 1952), often called NNN, is a Namibian politician. She became the fifth and current president of Namibia on 21 March 2025. She is the first woman to hold this important position in Namibia. Before becoming president, she served as the third vice president under President Nangolo Mbumba from 2024 to 2025.
She was the first female presidential candidate for SWAPO (the South West Africa People's Organisation) in the 2024 Namibian general election. In 2017, Nandi-Ndaitwah was chosen as the vice president of SWAPO, making her the first woman in that role too. She has also served as deputy prime minister (2015-2024) and minister of International Relations and Cooperation (2012-2024). She was also minister of Environment and Tourism (2010-2012). She has been a member of the National Assembly for a long time.
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Early Life and Education
Netumbo Nandi was born on 29 October 1952. Her parents were Justina Nekoto Shaduka-Nandi and Petrus Nandi. She was born in Onamutai, which was then part of South West Africa. This area is now near the border of the Ohangwena Region and Oshana Region in Namibia. Her father was a church leader. She was the ninth of 13 children. She went to school at St. Mary's Mission in Odibo.
Nandi-Ndaitwah became involved in politics when she was a teenager. She joined SWAPO at 14 years old. Soon, she became a leader in SWAPO's Youth Movement. This group worked to end South Africa's control over Namibia. Because of her activism, Nandi-Ndaitwah had to go into hiding.
In 1973, Nandi-Ndaitwah left Namibia and joined other SWAPO members in Zambia. She worked at the SWAPO main office in Lusaka from 1973 to 1975. She also studied in the Soviet Union from 1975 to 1976. There, she earned a diploma in youth movement work. Later, in 1987, she got a special diploma in public administration and management from the Glasgow College of Technology in the United Kingdom. In 1988, she earned another diploma in international relations from Keele University, also in the UK. She completed her master's degree in diplomatic studies from Keele University in 1989.
After the 2024 November election, she received an honorary doctorate for her work in diplomacy and public service.
Political Career
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Nandi-Ndaitwah served as SWAPO's deputy representative in Zambia from 1976 to 1978. She then became the chief representative in Zambia from 1978 to 1980. From 1980 to 1986, she was SWAPO's chief representative in East Africa, based in Dar es Salaam. She was a member of the SWAPO central committee from 1976 to 1986. She also led the Namibian National Women's Organisation (NANAWO) from 1991 to 1994.
She has been a member of the National Assembly of Namibia since 1990. From 1990 to 1996, she was the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. In 1996, she became a minister as the director-general of Women's Affairs in the Office of the President. She held this role until 2000, working under Namibia's first president, Sam Nujoma. In this job, Nandi-Ndaitwah helped coordinate government programs to support women and children. During this time, Namibia created its National Gender Policy (1997). Laws were also passed to improve fairness for women and reduce violence. In 2000, she became the Minister of Women's Affairs and Child Welfare. In 2003, the Domestic Violence Act was passed with her support. This law helps protect children and spouses from violence at home. In 2022, an update to this law was made to protect children in the home even after they turn 18.
From 2005 to 2010, she was the Minister of Information and Broadcasting. After that, she served as the minister of environment and tourism until December 2012. In December 2012, she was appointed minister of foreign affairs. This role is now called Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.
Under President Hage Geingob, Nandi-Ndaitwah was appointed deputy prime minister in March 2015. She also continued to serve as the minister of international relations and cooperation at the same time. Nandi-Ndaitwah is part of SWAPO's central committee and its politburo. She is also the party's secretary for information and mobilisation, making her one of SWAPO's main spokespeople.
Becoming President
In March 2023, President Geingob announced Nandi-Ndaitwah as SWAPO's candidate for president in the 2024 Namibian general election. After President Geingob passed away in February 2024, Nandi-Ndaitwah became vice president. She took over from Nangolo Mbumba, who became president. She was the first woman to serve as vice president.
On 3 December 2024, she was officially declared the president-elect of the Republic of Namibia. This made her the first woman to be chosen for this position. Nandi-Ndaitwah received 683,560 votes, which was 58.7% of all votes. She won against Panduleni Itula and McHenry Venaani. She officially became president on 21 March 2025.
During her inauguration speech in 2025, she promised to create jobs. She specifically aimed for "500,000 new jobs." Her main focus areas for job creation included agriculture, fishing, and the creative and sports industries.
In April 2025, Nandi-Ndaitwah announced that the government would provide free university education in government schools starting in 2026. On 27 April, she removed Mac-Albert Hengari from his position as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform.
Personal Life
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is married to Lieutenant General (retired) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah. He used to be the Chief of the Namibian Defence Force. She enjoys community work, especially helping children, and loves reading.
People often call her NNN, which is a nickname used by her political friends.
She supports women and gender equality in Namibia. She has a more traditional viewpoint on some social issues.
Awards and Recognition
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah received the 'thought leadership' award at the Namibia Sustainable Development Awards. She was also given an Inter-Generational Leadership Award at the 2024 Nala Feminist (Nalafem) Summit. She has an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
The President of the Namibia National Women’s Organization (NANAWO) has also honored her. This was for her work in improving the role of women in politics.
Gallery
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Nandi-Ndaitwah meeting with WIPO Director General Daren Tang in 2022. They talked about how intellectual property can help with economic growth, youth music, women innovators, and social development under the "Namibia Vision 2030" plan.
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Meeting with the Estonian foreign ministry, 2019.
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Nandi-Ndaitwah meets with First Lady Jill Biden in 2023, at the State House in Windhoek, Namibia.
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Nandi-Ndaitwah (center right) among the Namibian cabinet meeting with representatives from USAID (including Iipumbu Shiimi), and PEPFAR representatives. Other Namibian cabinet members pictured include Kalumbi Shangula, Anna Nghipondoka, Doreen Sioka, and Agnes Tjongarero.
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See also
In Spanish: Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah para niños
