hat do people think of when asked about Namibia? Did they think of Dorob National Park while they watched Mad Max: Fury Road in 2015? If yes, then they need to know there is much more to this African nation than its natural beauty.
In 1990, Namibia gained independence from South Africa, so it is still a young nation. In Namibia, the elections are fair and not corrupt; 2024 will be the 7th general election since gaining independence. Their presidential elections are conducted on a two–round system. If a candidate does not receive more than 50% of the votes on the first–round, then a second round of voting may be required. To date, the current president has won in the first round. On 27 November 2024 general elections will be held to elect a new president and National Assembly members.
Netumbo Nandi–Ndaitwah, Panduleni Itula, and McHenry Venaani are the candidates. Netumbo Nandi–Ndaitwah is Namibia’s first female vice president, and she is expected to become the first female president this November. She is a member of Namibia’s ruling party, the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO). Nandi–Ndaitwah knows she has her work cut out to draw and maintain new industries to her country. In early August, she spoke at a Pan–African Women’s Day event, addressing the concern of how boys are not keeping pace with girls in her country , and it is noticeable. She wants to do more to engage both girls and boys for the future success of Namibia.
Nandi–Ndaitwah believes in enhancing and/or bringing in new industries to reduce unemployment, create new jobs, and lead to new fields of study for young people to consider. For example, Namibia ranks as the world’s third–largest producer of uranium, so she thinks uranium mining is one of the ways forward for economic growth. Nandi–Ndaitwah wants to explore additional mineral investments while setting a balance to not exploit the minerals, so they are there for future generations.
Nandi–Ndaitwah has been meeting with business leaders, advocating against government bailouts. She believes their leadership and performance is lacking, and thus not helping organizations. For example, Air Namibia received federal government assistance in 2020, only to be sold to a South African company in 2021 due to mounting debt.
Namibia is ready for Netumbo Nandi–Ndaitwah to be on the world stage to collaborate with other nations which share democratic values and support environmental protection. There are great opportunities in the future for Namibia’ s growing economy which will allow its citizens to be educated locally and not leave to seek employment opportunities elsewhere. Mark your calendar for 27 November 2024 to see if Namibia will be electing their first female president.
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Why the world should focus on Namibia
Swakopmund, Namibia. Photo by Grant Durr on Unsplash.
September 17, 2024
An upcoming election in Namibia heralds great opportunities in the future for the nation’s growing economy, which will allow its citizens to be educated locally and not leave to seek employment opportunities elsewhere, writes Margaret Millett.
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hat do people think of when asked about Namibia? Did they think of Dorob National Park while they watched Mad Max: Fury Road in 2015? If yes, then they need to know there is much more to this African nation than its natural beauty.
In 1990, Namibia gained independence from South Africa, so it is still a young nation. In Namibia, the elections are fair and not corrupt; 2024 will be the 7th general election since gaining independence. Their presidential elections are conducted on a two–round system. If a candidate does not receive more than 50% of the votes on the first–round, then a second round of voting may be required. To date, the current president has won in the first round. On 27 November 2024 general elections will be held to elect a new president and National Assembly members.
Netumbo Nandi–Ndaitwah, Panduleni Itula, and McHenry Venaani are the candidates. Netumbo Nandi–Ndaitwah is Namibia’s first female vice president, and she is expected to become the first female president this November. She is a member of Namibia’s ruling party, the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO). Nandi–Ndaitwah knows she has her work cut out to draw and maintain new industries to her country. In early August, she spoke at a Pan–African Women’s Day event, addressing the concern of how boys are not keeping pace with girls in her country , and it is noticeable. She wants to do more to engage both girls and boys for the future success of Namibia.
Nandi–Ndaitwah believes in enhancing and/or bringing in new industries to reduce unemployment, create new jobs, and lead to new fields of study for young people to consider. For example, Namibia ranks as the world’s third–largest producer of uranium, so she thinks uranium mining is one of the ways forward for economic growth. Nandi–Ndaitwah wants to explore additional mineral investments while setting a balance to not exploit the minerals, so they are there for future generations.
Nandi–Ndaitwah has been meeting with business leaders, advocating against government bailouts. She believes their leadership and performance is lacking, and thus not helping organizations. For example, Air Namibia received federal government assistance in 2020, only to be sold to a South African company in 2021 due to mounting debt.
Namibia is ready for Netumbo Nandi–Ndaitwah to be on the world stage to collaborate with other nations which share democratic values and support environmental protection. There are great opportunities in the future for Namibia’ s growing economy which will allow its citizens to be educated locally and not leave to seek employment opportunities elsewhere. Mark your calendar for 27 November 2024 to see if Namibia will be electing their first female president.
