Former Member of Parliament and independent presidential candidate, Rosa Namises, has pledged her support to President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, expressing willingness to serve in her administration.
Namises affirmed her readiness “to serve the president and abide by her laws,” despite differing views. She was one of three female candidates in the recent presidential election, alongside Ally Angula and Lydia Kandetu.
“I have things that I agree and disagree with, but if she tasks us as women, especially me, to do something for her in her administration, I will, willingly and loyally. As a patriotic Namibian, I’ll take it and do it. I’ll help her as long as it is properly and practically done, to change our people’s lives,” she stated.
As a gender activist, Namises offered her expertise to combat domestic abuse and gender-based violence. “If there is a call to curb violence in the country, she must just call on me, instruct me, and trust me, I will do it willingly. I am open for the sake of our women and children and her. This notion of women not supporting each other does not apply to me,” she revealed in an interview with Confidente, where she also congratulated the president-elect.
Namises acknowledged Nandi-Ndaitwah’s election as a milestone for women’s leadership, expressing hope for a future female leader. “The presidential position is one of those many other positions that we were wishing for among women. So I am coming from that understanding that we are now living in that wish,” she said.
“I am very in agreement that change is finally happening, the first female President of Namibia is going to be on board. It has happened with men and no one raised eyebrows. Let us create our first, our second, and if possible, our third and fourth woman in the presidency,” she added.

“WE WANT TO FEEL THE IMPACT”

Namises advised Nandi-Ndaitwah: “She has to know and understand that this journey is not going to be easy. However, we as women want to see change. We want to feel the impact. We want to know that there is finally someone who listens and understands our vibrations.”
As a human rights and gender activist, Namises urged Nandi-Ndaitwah to address violence against women and children, as well as poverty. “The one thing she has to address nationally is violence, there is a crisis on violence against women and children. She must call on a state of emergency like we called on the drought crisis. Let her look at that because it’s the only point we can come together to fight and tackle this situation,” she said.
“The second issue she needs to look at is the question of poverty. We are not coming from an ignorant point. We are coming from a country where poverty is high. She must look at the resources we have and let her administration allocate them appropriately to eradicate poverty,” she added, highlighting the potential of the Green Hydrogen project.
Namises also expressed concern over the Ministry of Health & Social Services, suggesting external review. “I think she has to put a very strong firm administration where the Ministry of Health is tackled because many things are happening and the situation is very bad,” she stressed.
She cautioned Nandi-Ndaitwah against overpromising, urging dialogue instead.

TOLERANCE AND TRANSPARENCY

Namises emphasized tribalism as a major issue. “Namibians are complaining about tribalism. I hope as a woman, mother, and child coming from the village, she has values and traditions that will enable all to work together in one house,” she said.
“Young people are complaining about tribalism, it is everywhere. As Namibians, I believe we want to be one, we want to experience oneness like kids would sit in one classroom, play on the same playground, and grow together knowing that we are one as Namibians, even though we speak different languages,” she added.
Namises urged Nandi-Ndaitwah to emulate the late President Hage Geingob’s tolerance and transparency. “She must take an example from Omake, may his soul rest in peace. When he was bad-mouthed and insulted he never responded.”