In a historic moment for Namibia, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been declared the winner of the country's presidential election, becoming its first female president. With around 57% of legitimate votes, Nandi-Ndaitwah's victory extends the ruling SWAPO party's 34-year rule, which began in 1990 when Namibia gained independence from apartheid South Africa.

Nandi-Ndaitwah, who previously served as vice president under the current administration, will take the reins of leadership in the Southern African country. In her first statement as president-elect, she emphasized the importance of peace and stability, saying, "The Namibian nation has voted for peace and stability."

The election, which was marred by technical challenges such as a lack of vote papers and other concerns, forced election authorities to prolong voting until Saturday. Despite these issues, Nandi-Ndaitwah's victory was clear, with her closest opponent, Panduleni Itula from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) party, garnering around 26% of votes.

The opposition has disputed the results, citing the technical challenges and other concerns as evidence of irregularities. They plan to take legal action, presenting their claims to the court. However, the Electoral Commission has released a breakdown of the results, which shows Nandi-Ndaitwah's decisive win.

In addition to the presidential election, voters in Namibia also submitted separate ballots for the National Assembly. The results showed SWAPO securing 51 of the 96 elected seats, giving them a majority. The IPC will serve as the official opposition, having won 20 seats.

Nandi-Ndaitwah's journey to the presidency began in the 1960s, when she joined the SWAPO party in its fight for independence. She has held several important positions, including foreign minister during the democratic era. Her victory marks a significant milestone in Namibia's history, as she becomes the country's first female president.

The implications of Nandi-Ndaitwah's victory will be closely watched, as she takes on the challenges of leading Namibia into a new era of peace and stability. Her leadership will be crucial in shaping the country's future, and her historic achievement is likely to inspire generations of women in Namibia and beyond.

As Namibia looks to the future, Nandi-Ndaitwah's presidency is expected to bring about significant changes and opportunities for the country. Her victory is a testament to the progress Namibia has made since gaining independence, and it marks an important step forward in the country's development.