By McGeorge Mbare
Namibia is set to hold its seventh presidential and general elections on November 27, 2024 with a female president contender hoping to make history in the Southern African region.
The South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) has been in power since 1990 when Namibia gained its independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990, it has been ruling the country for 34 years.
After the death of President Hage Geingob on February 4th this year, he was replaced by Nangolo Mumba who is serving the remainder of the late’s term which expires on 21 March 2025 .The current President of Namibia will not be running leaving 72 year old Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah the SWAPO candidate, poised to be the first female President of the Southern African country.
Namibia‘s SWAPO female presidential candidate Ndaitwah is coming in at a crucial point to serve the ruling party regarding the land crisis in Namibia. The elections could mark a turning point if the ruling party loses its grip of power as there are five main candidates contesting for the Presidency position.
Former SWAPO member, Panduleni Itula who leads the Independence Patriots for Change party is the main challenger to Ndaitwah presenting the greatest threat to her ambitions of being President. Other candidates include McHenry Venaani ,Bernadus Swartbooi and Job Amupanda.
The President of Namibia is elected using the two round system,if no candidate receives more than 50 percent in the first round of voting, a runoff is held. Historically there has never been a presidential vote that has gone to the second round.
Since independence in 1990, Namibia has elected only three Presidents and 1 interim president who currently come in office after the death of President Hage Geingob in February 2024.