Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat has taken the lead in congratulating Namibia’s president-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Nandi-Ndaitwah etched her name in the annals of history by becoming Namibia’s first woman president and Africa’s second elected female head of state.
“I join the continent in my heartfelt congratulations to my sister, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, for her historic election victory to be Namibia’s first ever female president,” Mahamat said yesterday.
The congratulations follow Nandi-Ndaitwah’s electoral victory, announced on Tuesday evening.
The 72-year-old leader secured victory with 57% of the vote, according to the official results released by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), while her main challenger – Panduleni Itula, from the Independent Patriots for Change – came second with 26% of the vote.
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa also congratulated Nandi-Ndaitwah, saying he anticipates strengthened relations with Namibia.
“On behalf of the government and people of South Africa, I offer my warm congratulations to president-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of our sister country and neighbour, the Republic of Namibia.
Congratulations to you personally my sister, and to the South West Africa People’s Organisation [Swapo], which has greatly benefited from your leadership as vice president of the organisation.
“I look forward to us deepening our relationship with Namibia and ensuring that the people of our two nations come to a greater understanding and appreciation of our shared history and future,” he said.
Zambian Socialist Party leader Fred M’membe also extended his congratulations to Nandi-Ndaitwah.
“The Namibian people have spoken and congratulations are due to you, comrade president-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Your remarkable victory symbolises hope for Namibia’s future. May your tenure be filled with success and unity for all Namibians.
“I wish you courage and determination as you navigate the challenges ahead. We look forward to enhancing the long and cherished historical bonds between our peoples,” M’membe said.
Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa said Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory reflects the trust Namibians have placed in her.
“Your excellency and dear sister, on behalf of the government and people of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and on my own behalf, I wish to extend to you my most sincere congratulations on your historic election as the president of the Republic of Namibia.
“Your victory is a reflection of the trust and confidence that the people of Namibia have in your leadership to safeguard the liberation heritage and bring about socio-economic transformation in Namibia,” he said.
Mnangagwa noted that he is looking forward to excellent relations between Zimbabwe and Namibia.
“As you assume your new role, I am confident that the excellent relations between our two countries will continue to grow from strength to strength in the years ahead. I take this opportunity to assure you of Zimbabwe’s commitment and readiness to deepen and broaden bilateral cooperation with Namibia for the mutual benefit of our two peoples.
“I wish you good health, as well as peace and prosperity for the people of Namibia.”
Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu Hassan also congratulated Nandi-Ndaitwah.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to her excellency Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, president-elect of the Republic of Namibia, on your historic victory in the 2024 Namibian general elections.
“I am looking forward to working with you in strengthening the all-weather fraternal bonds and historical ties between Tanzania and Namibia,” she said yesterday.
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