The election of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as Namibia’s president is a historic achievement, signaling the first time the country will be led by a woman. This symbolic victory, however, transcends representation, offering a profound opportunity to interrogate Namibia’s political economy, gender politics, and its place in regional and continental structures like the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU). Her leadership, while aspirational, faces critical challenges that could determine the trajectory of Namibian democracy and governance.
A Historic and Symbolic Win:
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s win resonates with broader struggles for gender equality in African politics. Only a handful of African nations have seen women lead their governments, including Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Liberia and Joyce Banda in Malawi. Namibia’s election thus reflects a symbolic break from patriarchal structures that dominate political power. As the Vice President of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), a party rooted in Namibia’s liberation struggle, her rise to power also bridges the legacy of independence movements and the aspirations of a younger, more diverse electorate.
However, this symbolism risks being hollow if not accompanied by transformative governance. Namibia has one of the highest levels of income inequality globally, with a Gini coefficient of 0.59. The youth unemployment rate hovers around 40%, exacerbating frustrations with SWAPO’s longstanding dominance and its failure to deliver economic justice. These socio-economic realities underline the necessity for her leadership to transcend the symbolic and enact structural change.
A Radical Feminist Critique:
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s promises to create over 500,000 jobs and invest 85 billion Namibian dollars into job creation programs are ambitious, but they demand scrutiny through a radical feminist lens. Feminist political economy emphasizes the interconnectedness of labor, economic policy, and gender equity. Will her policies prioritize the precarious labor conditions of women, who disproportionately occupy low-wage, informal jobs? Will the job creation drive address the systemic undervaluation of women’s work in Namibia?
Her election comes in the context of Namibia’s persistent gender disparities. Women occupy 46% of parliamentary seats, a notable achievement, but structural barriers to economic and social equity remain. For instance, Namibia’s maternal mortality rate is 195 deaths per 100,000 live births, underscoring gaps in healthcare access. If Nandi-Ndaitwah fails to meet her promises, particularly on job creation and economic equity, this could exacerbate public disillusionment, reinforcing critiques of tokenistic representation without substantive reform.
The Political Economy of Nandi-Ndaitwah’s Presidency:
- Namibia’s Economic Context: A Dependency on Extractivism
Namibia’s political economy is heavily shaped by its dependence on natural resources. The mining sector—especially diamonds, uranium, and gold—forms the backbone of the economy. In 2022, the mining sector contributed 12% to Namibia’s GDP and accounted for 40% of the country’s export revenues. However, this reliance on resource extraction presents both opportunities and risks for Nandi-Ndaitwah’s presidency.
On one hand, the mineral wealth gives Namibia leverage in the global economy, especially in sectors like uranium, which is crucial for nuclear energy production. On the other hand, it leaves the country vulnerable to global commodity price fluctuations, as seen in the volatility of uranium prices over the past decade. As president, Nandi-Ndaitwah will have to strike a delicate balance between promoting the extractive industries that drive economic growth and ensuring the diversification of the economy to protect against external shocks. Her administration will need to focus on economic policies that promote sustainability, perhaps through investments in renewable energy, infrastructure development, and value-added industries that reduce the country’s dependency on raw exports.
- Economic Diversification and Regional Integration
A critical aspect of Nandi-Ndaitwah’s political economy strategy will be her ability to facilitate Namibia’s economic diversification. Namibia has traditionally lagged behind its regional neighbours in developing non-extractive industries, leaving it vulnerable to the ups and downs of global commodity markets. The promise of industrialization and investment in sectors like agriculture, tourism, and technology could help mitigate these vulnerabilities.
However, economic diversification in Namibia also depends on the integration of regional markets, particularly within SADC. Namibia’s geographic location as a transit hub for southern Africa positions it as a potential leader in facilitating trade within the region. Yet, for SADC’s broader integration goals to succeed, countries must move beyond the legacy of colonial trade patterns and address the logistical and infrastructural challenges that hinder intra-regional commerce.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s presidency will have to navigate the political economy of SADC, balancing domestic interests with regional goals. Namibia’s political and economic stability makes it a critical player in the regional integration process. However, regional economic cooperation is often undermined by structural inequalities between member states. For example, South Africa, with its advanced industrial base, remains the economic powerhouse of the region, often overshadowing smaller economies like Namibia’s. Nandi-Ndaitwah will need to ensure that Namibia’s economic interests are not subsumed by the dominance of larger states, negotiating fair trade agreements that allow Namibia to benefit from regional economic integration.
Her administration’s stance on regional economic policies, particularly trade liberalization and investment facilitation, will be critical. Policies that promote industrialization through regional cooperation could lead to Namibia’s greater economic empowerment within SADC. On the other hand, neglecting to address the regional imbalance could result in Namibia remaining stuck in a subordinate position, as a supplier of raw materials to South Africa and other industrialized countries.
- Impact on Mozambique and Regional Stability
A political economy analysis of Nandi-Ndaitwah’s presidency must also consider the wider regional context, particularly the economic and political stability of neighboring countries. Mozambique, in particular, offers a stark contrast to Namibia in terms of its political economy. Despite being rich in natural resources, including vast natural gas deposits, Mozambique has struggled with political instability, poverty, and the challenge of managing resource wealth effectively.
Mozambique’s political economy is deeply affected by the ongoing conflict in the northern Cabo Delgado region, where insurgent groups fuelled by economic disenfranchisement have created significant challenges to national stability. The international community, including the African Union, has responded by deploying peacekeeping forces and offering economic aid, but Mozambique’s government has faced criticisms for its handling of both its security situation and the management of its gas resources.
Namibia’s leadership under Nandi-Ndaitwah could have important implications for Mozambique. A stable, diversified Namibian economy might offer new markets for Mozambique’s resources, fostering cross-border trade that could alleviate some of the economic pressures faced by its population. Additionally, Namibia could play a role in regional peacebuilding efforts, leveraging its experience in conflict resolution and its relatively stable political environment to help Mozambique manage its internal conflicts.
However, Mozambique’s instability also highlights the risks associated with resource-driven economies. If Nandi-Ndaitwah’s administration does not manage Namibia’s resource wealth responsibly or fails to diversify the economy, the country could face similar challenges to those of Mozambique, where resource wealth has often exacerbated inequality and conflict.
Implications for Democracy:
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s win represents a critical juncture for Namibian democracy. While SWAPO remains dominant, its electoral support has waned, falling below the two-thirds majority in 2019 for the first time since independence. This decline reflects broader dissatisfaction with liberation-era parties across Southern Africa, from South Africa’s ANC to Mozambique’s FRELIMO. A failure to deliver on promises could deepen this erosion of trust, pushing Namibia toward greater political fragmentation.
The youth vote, often characterized by a demand for transparency and accountability, will be a decisive force in shaping her administration’s legacy. Young Namibians, particularly those born after independence, are less tied to SWAPO’s liberation narrative and more concerned with governance performance. As political analyst Henning Melber notes, “The ‘born-free’ generation will not vote based on emotions like the older generations but on delivery and governance”.
A Feminist Political Economy of Failure:
If Nandi-Ndaitwah’s administration falters, the implications for Namibia and Africa are profound. A feminist political economy perspective emphasizes that failure in governance disproportionately impacts marginalized groups, particularly women and the poor. For instance, unmet job creation promises could exacerbate existing economic inequalities, pushing more people, especially women, into precarious work or unemployment. Such outcomes could fuel social unrest and deepen disenchantment with democratic processes.
Regionally, Namibia’s stability is crucial for SADC’s cohesion. Political instability in one member state often reverberates across borders, as seen with Zimbabwe’s economic crisis and its impact on migration flows into South Africa. Similarly, Namibia’s economic policies could either bolster or undermine regional trade, particularly if SWAPO’s governance model is perceived as ineffective.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s Presidency and the Future of SADC and AU:
At the continental level, her presidency aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which prioritizes gender equity, economic integration, and sustainable development. However, aligning national policies with these ambitious continental goals requires significant political will and resource allocation. Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership could either galvanize AU efforts to prioritize gender and economic equity or expose the gaps between rhetorical commitments and practical implementation.
SADC, too, stands at a crossroads. Nandi-Ndaitwah’s presidency could serve as a catalyst for deeper integration if her administration prioritizes infrastructure development and trade facilitation. Alternatively, Namibia’s struggles could mirror broader governance challenges within SADC, undermining its collective aspirations.
Conclusion: A Radical Hope or a Hollow Victory?
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s presidency carries immense promise and peril. Her election is undoubtedly historic and symbolic, challenging entrenched gender norms and signaling a potential shift in Namibia’s political landscape. However, a radical feminist and political economy analysis reveals that the true test of her leadership lies in her ability to enact transformative policies that address Namibia’s deep-seated socio-economic inequalities.
For Namibia, and by extension Africa, her presidency represents both a moment of radical hope and a reminder of the fragility of symbolic victories. If she succeeds, she could set a precedent for feminist governance and economic justice in Africa. If she fails, the consequences will ripple across the region, deepening disillusionment with democratic processes and liberation-era parties. As Namibia embarks on this new chapter, the stakes for its people—and its neighbours—could not be higher.
