Namibia is holding its most competitive presidential election since independence, with long queues reported across the country.
Story Summary:
- Namibia’s 2024 elections could see a historic outcome, with the possibility of the country’s first female president.
- The election reflects growing dissatisfaction with liberation-era parties, mirroring political shifts in southern Africa.
- The results may affect South Africa’s trade and regional political dynamics.
2024 Namibia elections: What are the latest updates?
Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, representing the ruling SWAPO party, leads the race to become the country’s first female president.
However, SWAPO faces its stiffest challenge yet due to growing frustration with unemployment, inequality, and allegations of corruption.
Opposition candidates like Panduleni Itula and McHenry Venaani are capitalising on public dissatisfaction, particularly among younger voters.
Special votes, including ballots cast overseas and by security forces, suggest Nandi-Ndaitwah is ahead, but results from Wednesday’s election are expected over the weekend, per Reuters.
The stakes are high, as Namibia grapples with economic challenges despite its rich natural resources, including diamonds, uranium, and emerging oil and gas industries.
How the Namibian electoral system works
Namibia’s electoral system allows citizens to vote separately for a president and a parliamentary assembly.
A presidential candidate must secure more than 50% of the votes to avoid a run-off.
In the event of no outright winner, a second round will decide the presidency—a scenario that has never occurred in Namibia’s history.
Approximately 1.4 million Namibians are registered to vote, representing nearly half the population of 3 million.
The parliamentary vote determines the composition of the National Assembly, which plays a key role in shaping national policies.
Who is favourite to win the 2024 Namibia elections?
The ruling SWAPO party, which has governed Namibia since independence in 1990, faces significant challenges to maintain its hold on power.
Its presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, remains a strong contender due to SWAPO’s enduring support among older and rural voters.
Nandi-Ndaitwah has promised to tackle Namibia’s youth unemployment crisis, which stands at 20%, and to invest approximately 85 billion Namibian dollars ($4.7 billion) in job creation.
While these pledges resonate with some voters, critics question their feasibility.
Panduleni Itula, representing the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), is the primary challenger.
A former dentist and SWAPO insider, he appeals to younger voters who are disillusioned with the ruling party’s performance.
McHenry Venaani, leader of the Popular Democratic Movement, is also pushing for change.
He has drawn parallels with political shifts in neighbouring countries like Botswana and South Africa, where ruling parties faced historic defeats this year.
How this election outcome will impact South Africa
Namibia’s elections carry significant implications for South Africa, particularly in terms of trade and regional politics.
South Africa is Namibia’s largest trading partner, with strong ties in industries like mining, agriculture, and manufacturing.
Political uncertainty or changes in economic policy could disrupt trade agreements, impacting both nations’ economies.
Additionally, Namibia’s vast resources, including oil, gas, and green hydrogen, present opportunities for regional collaboration.
South African companies operating in Namibia will closely watch the election outcome to gauge potential shifts in business regulations or investment policies.
On a broader level, the election reflects a growing trend in southern Africa, where liberation-era parties face mounting challenges from younger generations seeking change.
This mirrors the African National Congress’s (ANC) recent loss of its parliamentary majority in South Africa and could influence voter sentiments ahead of South Africa’s own elections in 2024.
Historically, South Africa and Namibia share deep ties, with Namibia gaining independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990.
The two nations continue to collaborate within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the election’s outcome could shape future regional cooperation.
