Is Namibia going to elect its first female leader?
If things work out as Namibia’s long-time governing party hopes, the country will be electing its first female head of state this week. But a mood of disillusionment with liberation movements in southern Africa, coupled with the anti-incumbency feeling in many parts of the world, may pose a threat to what would be an historic achievement. Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, is the flag-bearer for Swapo, which has led the country since independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990. Tanzania's Samia Suluhu Hassan is currently Africa's only female president, so Nandi-Ndaitwah would be joining an exclusive club if she is victorious. Her party, totally dominant for three decades, saw a large drop in its support in the last general election. It goes into Wednesday’s vote amid an unemployment rate of 19% - almost the same as it was 30 years ago – troubled government finances, questions about corruption and high levels of inequality. Standing in Nandi-Ndaitwah’s way is her ...