Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
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Official portrait, 2025
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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 an important politician from Namibia. She is set to become the fifth president of Namibia on 21 March 2025. This will make her the first woman president of the country!
Before this, she was the third vice president under President Nangolo Mbumba from 2024 to 2025. She was also the first woman to run for president for the SWAPO party in the 2024 Namibian general election. In 2017, she became the first woman to be elected vice-president of SWAPO.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has held many important jobs in the government. She was the deputy prime minister from 2015 to 2024. She also served as the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and the Minister of Environment and Tourism. She has been a member of the National Assembly of Namibia for a long time.
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Early Life and Education
Netumbo Nandi was born on 29 October 1952 in Onamutai, which was then called South West Africa. Today, this area is near the border of the Ohangwena Region and Oshana Region in Namibia. Her father was a church leader, and she was one of 13 children. She went to school at St. Mary's Mission in Odibo.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah became interested in politics when she was a teenager. She joined SWAPO at age 14. She quickly became a leader in SWAPO's Youth Movement. This group worked to end South Africa's control over Namibia. Because of her activism, she had to go into hiding to stay safe.
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, she continued her studies in the United Kingdom. In 1987, she got a diploma in public administration and management from Glasgow Caledonian University. In 1988, she earned another diploma in international relations from Keele University. She then completed a master's degree in diplomatic studies from Keele University in 1989. After the 2024 election, she received an honorary doctorate for her work in diplomacy and public service.
Political Career and Leadership
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Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah held important roles for SWAPO in other countries. She was the deputy representative in Zambia from 1976 to 1978. Then, she 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 also a member of SWAPO's central committee and president of the Namibian National Women's Organisation (NANAWO).
Since 1990, she has been a member of the National Assembly of Namibia. From 1990 to 1996, she was the deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. In 1996, she became a minister for the first time. She was the director-general of Women's Affairs in the Office of the President until 2000. In 2000, she became the Minister of Women Affairs and Child Welfare.
From 2005 to 2010, she was the Minister of Information and Broadcasting. After that, she served as the Minister of Environment and Tourism until 2012. In December 2012, she was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, a role now called International Relations and Cooperation.
Under President Hage Geingob, Nandi-Ndaitwah was made deputy prime minister in March 2015. She continued to serve as the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation at the same time. She is a key member of SWAPO's central committee and politburo. She is also the party's spokesperson for information and public outreach.
In March 2023, President Geingob chose Nandi-Ndaitwah as SWAPO's candidate for president in the 2024 Namibian general election. When President Geingob passed away in February 2024, Nandi-Ndaitwah became the vice president. She took over from Nangolo Mbumba, who became president. She is the first woman to hold the role of vice president in Namibia.
On 3 December 2024, she was officially announced as the president-elect of Namibia. This means she will be the first woman to lead the country. Nandi-Ndaitwah won with 58.7% of the votes. She will be sworn in as president on 21 March 2025.
Personal Life
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is married to Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah. He used to be the Chief of the Namibian Defence Force. She enjoys working with children in the community and loves to read.
Awards and Recognition
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has received several awards for her work. She was given the 'thought leadership' award at the Namibia Sustainable Development Awards. She also received an Inter-Generational Leadership Award at the 2024 Nala Feminist (Nalafem) Summit. She holds an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
Gallery
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Nandi-Ndaitwah meeting WIPO Director General Daren Tang in 2022. They talked about how intellectual property can help Namibia's economy, youth music industry, and women innovators.
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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) with other Namibian cabinet members meeting with representatives from USAID and PEPFAR.
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See also
- List of current vice presidents and designated acting presidents
