How Namibia elected its first female president

During it's 2024 General Presidential election Namibians chose their first female president 72 year old Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, of the Southwest Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO). She had been serving as Namibia’s vice president and was SWAPO’s first female candidate for president. SWAPO,  SWAPO, has been the governing party since Namibia won independence from South Africa in 1990, and has lomg been committed to gender equality. It establishing the constitutional gender parity quotas, (also referred to as the "zebra" system or 50/50 policy) in 2013.

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The Guardian

Nandi-Ndaitwah, who received 57% of votes, has significant experience within the party and has been an anti-apartheid activist since her youth. Amidst rising expectations for women leaders across Africa, Co-editor-in-chief of the African studies journal Africa Spectrum said, “She is seen as well-respected for being pragmatic and plain-spoken and...trustworthy."

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How Namibia elected its first female president. Africa is ‘more open to the idea of women leaders,’ Northeastern expert says

Namibia’s election of its first woman president tracks with the ruling party’s historic priority on gender equality, a professor says.

Northeastern Global NewsKate Rix