• By Patience Mawele

Sunday, June 29, 2025, marks a pivotal 100- days milestone for President Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah, Namibia’s first female head of State. Her initial 100 days have been characterized by foundational reforms and a renewed focus on key national challenges, earning commendation from many quarters for her administration’s nascent steps. 

EARLY ACTIONS 

In her inaugural address, she articulated a vision of reshaping Namibia’s economy with a sharp focus on youth employment, rural development and an unwavering fight against corruption. Among her most ambitious pledges, is the creation of 500,000 jobs over the next five years, emphasizing growth in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, and the creative industries. 

A notable early move was the appointment of a female vice president and cabinet members, ensuring a significantly more gender-balanced government. This decision has been hailed as one of the most inclusive cabinet compositions in the country’s history. Ministries are now led by a diverse group of men and women, many under the age of 45, signalling a new era of generational leadership. Her administration has also initiated internal performance audits across government ministries and departments. 

A particular focus has been placed on long-criticized ministries such as health, education, and public enterprises, areas previously scrutinised for poor service delivery and alleged mismanagement. Furthermore, Nandi Ndaitwah has championed a proposed innovation and empowerment stimulus package, which her office indicates will specifically target young entrepreneurs and women-led businesses. Though still in its planning phase, this initiative has already generated excitement within Namibia’s growing informal and small medium enterprise (SME) sector. Beyond official duties, the President has made a consistent effort to connect directly with ordinary Namibians. Her journeys have taken her from drought-stricken farms in regions like Kunene to informal settlements in Katutura, and even to grieving with families affected by tragedies such as the Okahandja murders. 

This soft, “people-first” approach, characterized by actively listening to citizens, has quickly become her leadership signature. Under her watch, ministers appear to be more liberated and free to execute their duties without fear of retribution and her administration has further been lauded by the international community for being inclusive. 

As a cost-cutting measure, Nandi-Ndaitwah has also placed a moratorium on State-funded funerals, which in 2024/25 costed taxpayers more than N$38 million. 

ANTI-CORRUPTION 

Over the 100 days, NandiNdaitwah’s stance on corruption cannot be misconstrued and is evident in the manner in which her Cabinet ministers are executing their mandates. One such minister is James Sankwasa of the of the urban and rural development ministry, who is leading a deliberate crusade to thwart corruption, at local authorities and has since irked opposition politicians. Recently, Sankwasa has emerged as the first minister, in that portfolio, to come out all guns blazing against corrupt activities that have reared their ugly heads at local authorities across the country for years. These activities can be fingered for the slow land delivery, delayed implementation of developmental projects and all-round poverty amongst the constituents at various towns and settlements. 

PERSPECTIVES 

Adding a grassroots’ perspective, veteran human rights activist and community leader, Rosa Namises described the 100 days as a ‘peaceful transition packed with action and preparation’. While acknowledging the President’s compassionate approach in terms of incidents of gender-based violence, Namises called for a high level declaration of a national crisis over the safety of women and children. “We want her to act differently. She must act with the fire within her. Bring in a different way and consult activists over the next 100 days.” On youth employment, Namises advised the President to move above launching and introducing towards more practical and change-oriented implementation. Political analysts. Rui Tyitende, cautioned that while 100 days are a common benchmark, it is insufficient for a full assessment. 

He suggested that “current utterances and actions point to a challenging start.” Another political analyst, Ndumba Kamwanya echoed Tyitende’s sentiment, describing the early period as a “mixed bag.” He however, expressed a desire for more concrete policy direction, calling for action over rhetoric. As President Nandi-Ndaitwah reached her initial 100 days, her administration faced the dual task of consolidating its early achievements while addressing the robust critiques from both political circles and the broader civil society, all while navigating the high expectations placed upon Namibia’s first female leader.