As we host in Tanzania, Namibian first female president Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, nicknamed NNN, there is a need to evaluate the contrasting leadership styles of the two female African presidents: our own Samia Suluhu Hassan and NNN. This discourse looks at the biographies of the two African female presidents celebrating their achievements while assessing their stark challenges. This is their contrasting stories.
Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah biography.
Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (born 29 October 1952), nicknamed NNN, is a Namibian politician who is the fifth and current president of Namibia since 21 March 2025. She is the country’s first female president. Previously, she served as the third vice president under President Nangolo Mbumba between 2024 and 2025.
Early Life and Education.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, born on October 29, 1952, in Onamutai, northern Namibia (then South West Africa), was the ninth of 13 children in an Anglican family. Her father, Petrus Nandi, was a clergyman instrumental in establishing St. Mary’s Mission Church at Odibo, where she attended boarding school.
Her political awakening began at age 14 when she joined SWAPO, a liberation movement fighting against South Africa’s apartheid regime. By 1970, she led SWAPO’s Youth League in Ovamboland, organizing protests against apartheid practices like public floggings.
Forced into exile in 1974 due to her activism, she continued her education in the Soviet Union (studying communist youth movements) and the UK, earning postgraduate diplomas in public administration (Glasgow) and international relations, followed by a master’s in diplomatic studies from Keele University (1989).
Political Career:
Liberation Struggle and Exile (1970s–1989):
During exile, Nandi-Ndaitwah held key diplomatic roles for SWAPO in Zambia (1976–1980) and Tanzania (1980–1986), advocating for Namibian independence internationally. She married Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, a PLAN military leader, in 1983.
Post-Independence Leadership (1990–2024):
After Namibia’s independence in 1990, she became a National Assembly member and held numerous ministerial roles:
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (1990–1996)
Minister of Women Affairs and Child Welfare.
(2000–2005), championing the Combating of Domestic Violence Act (2003).
Minister of Environment and Tourism (2010–2012) and
International Relations (2012–2024).
Deputy Prime Minister (2015–2024), appointed by President Hage Geingob.
In 2017, she became SWAPO’s first female vice president, positioning her as the party’s 2024 presidential candidate.
Presidency (2025–Present):
Nandi-Ndaitwah made history in November 2024 by winning 57–58.7% of the presidential vote, becoming Namibia’s first female president. Key actions and policies include:
Cabinet Restructuring:
Appointed Lucia Witbooi as vice president and reduced ministerial positions by nearly half, with women holding the majority.
Namibia’s Cabinet Composition (as of May 2025)
Gender Breakdown.
Women in Senior Ministerial Roles:
8 out of 14 ministers are women, including key portfolios such as Finance, Education, and International Relations. This comprises 57.14 % of the whole cabinet are women forming the majority of the decision making positions. A feat never replicated anywhere else in Africa. Even the much revered Rwanda in terms of women representation in senior government positions fall short at 45.4% are women in the Kagame cabinet.
Here is a breakdown of women in her cabinet.
Vice President:
Lucia Witbooi, the first female Vice President of Namibia, adds to the total count of women in leadership, bringing the number to 9 women in senior executive roles (including the VP).
Men in Senior Ministerial Roles:
6 men hold ministerial positions, including the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.
Total Number of Senior and Junior Ministers.
Senior Ministers:
14 (including the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and other ministers).
Junior Ministers (Deputy Ministers):
7, though their gender distribution is not explicitly detailed.
Key Context:
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah streamlined the cabinet from 21 to 14 ministers and reduced deputy positions from 21 to 7, aiming to cut costs and improve efficiency. This restructuring also prioritized gender parity, making Namibia a continental leader with 64% female representation in senior cabinet roles (9 out of 14, including the VP) .
Free Tertiary Education:
Announced government-funded tertiary education starting in 2026.
Economic Plans:
A N$90 billion manifesto targeting job creation, agricultural self-sufficiency, and universal healthcare.
Anti-Corruption Stance:
Dismissed officials like Agriculture Minister Mac-Albert Hengari over misconduct allegations.
Critics question her ability to reverse SWAPO’s declining popularity and her skepticism of Geingob’s green hydrogen project.
Personal Life and Legacy.
Married to retired Lt. Gen. Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah (former Namibian Defence Force chief), she has three sons and four grandchildren. Known for her pragmatic leadership style, she emphasizes implementation over rhetoric: “I am an implementer, not a storyteller”.
A lifelong advocate for gender equality, she participated in pivotal UN women’s conferences and reshaped Namibia’s political landscape by breaking gender barriers.
Awards and Recognition.
Honorary Doctorates from the University of Dar es Salaam and Keele University.
Inter-Generational Leadership Award (2024 Nalafem Summit).
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s presidency symbolizes a milestone for women in African politics, though her tenure’s long-term impact on Namibia’s economy and governance remains to be seen.
Samia Suluhu Hassan: Biography, Achievements, and Challenges.
Biography.
Early Life and Education.
Samia Suluhu Hassan was born on January 27, 1960, in Makunduchi, Zanzibar (now part of Tanzania). Her father was a schoolteacher, and her mother a homemaker. After completing secondary education in 1977, she worked as an office clerk and later pursued higher education, earning an advanced diploma in public administration from Mzumbe University (1986) and a postgraduate diploma in economics from the University of Manchester (1994). She also holds a master’s degree in Community Economic Development (2015) from the Open University of Tanzania.
Political Ascent:
Hassan began her political career in 2000 as a member of the Zanzibar House of Representatives under the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. She held ministerial roles in Zanzibar, focusing on youth, gender, and tourism. In 2010, she entered Tanzania’s National Assembly and became Minister of State for Union Affairs.
Her rise to prominence came in 2015 when she was selected as John Magufuli’s vice-presidential running mate, making her Tanzania’s first female vice president.
Before that, she was the vice chairperson of the Constituency Assembly where she had gained respect in the way she had chaperoned the meetings with decorum and attention to detail.
Presidency.
Hassan assumed the presidency on March 19, 2021, following Magufuli’s death, becoming Tanzania’s first female president and Africa’s only sitting female head of state at the time. Her leadership style emphasizes pragmatism, inclusivity, and reconciliation.
Key Achievements.
1. COVID-19 Response.
Reversed Magufuli’s denialist stance, joining COVAX and initiating nationwide vaccinations. She publicly received a vaccine to boost public confidence and resumed reporting COVID-19 data to the WHO.
2. Political Reforms and Media Freedom.
Lifted bans on opposition rallies and media outlets, releasing imprisoned opposition leaders like Freeman Mbowe. She formed a Reconciliation Committee to engage with opposition parties, easing tensions inherited from Magufuli’s authoritarian policies. The then Chadema chairperson, Freeman Mbowe, has severally lauded her reconciliation efforts were a major success despite widespread criticism.
3. Economic Revival and Infrastructure.
Revived foreign investments and international partnerships, securing loans for infrastructure projects like the Standard Gauge Railway and Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant. Tanzania’s economy grew at 5.2% in 2023, with stabilized inflation and increased intra-African trade under the AfCFTA.
4. Gender Equality and Youth Empowerment.
Appointed women to 36% of cabinet roles, including Tanzania’s first female defense minister. She reinstated education access for pregnant girls and promoted youth entrepreneurship through affordable loans.
Composition of Women in President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s Cabinet (as of May 23, 2025).
Current Gender Representation
As of May 2025, President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s cabinet includes 7 women out of 23 senior ministers, representing approximately 30.4% female representation in key ministerial roles. This reflects a deliberate effort to advance gender parity, though it falls short of Rwanda’s 45.4% benchmark.
Gender, and Special Groups.
Recent Changes and Trends.
1. 2025 Cabinet Reshuffle:
In preparation for the 2025 elections, Samia added two more women to her cabinet, increasing female representation from 5 to 7 ministers.
She emphasized plans to further expand women’s roles, including creating a professional women’s database to streamline future appointments.
2. Regional and Administrative Roles:
Women constitute 46% of regional administrative secretaries and 44% of district commissioners, signaling broader gender inclusivity beyond the cabinet.
3. Historical Progress:
Under Samia’s leadership, female ministerial representation rose from 34.3% in 2021 (9 women in a 22-member cabinet) to 30.4% in 2025, though this marks a slight decline.
Challenges and Criticisms.
Mixed Reactions:
While praised for appointing women to high-profile roles, critics argue that systemic barriers persist, such as limited economic empowerment programs for grassroots women.
Political Dynamics:
Samia faces pressure from within her party (CCM) to balance reformist agendas with entrenched patriarchal norms, particularly ahead of the 2025 elections .
Comparative Context:
Rwanda: 45.4% female ministers (2025) .
Namibia: 64% female representation in senior cabinet roles under President Nandi-Ndaitwah .
Future Outlook:
Samia has pledged to prioritize gender equality, including initiatives like specialized military training for women and financial inclusion programs. However, her ability to institutionalize these reforms amid political challenges will determine their long-term impact.
5. Diplomatic Outreach.
Restored Tanzania’s global standing by engaging with the EU, African Union, and East African Community. Her efforts led to partnerships with Dubai and participation in COP26, emphasizing climate action.
Challenges.
1. Internal Political Resistance.
Faced opposition from Magufuli loyalists within CCM, who resisted her reforms. Recent crackdowns on opposition figures, such as treason charges against Tundu Lissu, have raised concerns about democratic backsliding ahead of the 2025 elections.
2. Economic Pressures.
Global disruptions like the Ukraine war and COVID-19 slowed economic growth, complicating infrastructure funding. Inflation and unemployment remain persistent issues.
3. Constitutional and Social Reforms.
Critics argue her reforms lack institutionalization. The controversial Political Parties Act and Media Services Act, used to suppress dissent under Magufuli, remain unamended. The election law reforms have not undo the lack of transparency, over-dependence on public servants to manage elections and opacity in the election result verification.
4. Controversial Remarks.
Faced backlash for derogatory comments about female athletes’ appearances, highlighting lingering gender stereotypes. She had also angered Kenyans over human rights activism spilling over in Tanzania sparking sustained cyberattacks.
5. Balancing Legacy and Party Loyalty.
Struggles to reconcile her reformist agenda with CCM’s entrenched interests. Her recent alignment with Magufuli-era figures suggests pragmatic consolidation of power rather than systemic change. Perhaps, in her second term she will feel free to imprint her own mark in Tanzania governance rather than sustaining a system that has failed to address socioeconomic marginalization, income disparities and societal tensions.
Legacy and Outlook
Samia Suluhu Hassan’s presidency marks a pivotal shift toward inclusive governance in Tanzania. While her achievements in public health, diplomacy, and gender equality are notable, challenges like political polarization and economic instability persist. Her ability to institutionalize reforms and navigate CCM dynamics will determine her lasting impact.
Concluding Remarks.
The two African female presidents have inherited challenges arising from independence gaining political parties that now deems power as an entitlement or a reward for securing independence rather than to be earned from having an impact in their countries.
Both presidents are facing a popular resistance to the continuity of their regimes from the younger generation that feels alienated, and the two presidents have approached the challenges differently.
Tanzania president Samia Suluhu Hassan has resorted to repression to stay in power while Namibia’s president has attempted to widen economic empowerment through free education and health. Tanzania’s education and health systems remain under user fees which have entrenched poverty and marginalization.
Both presidents face criticism over whether elections in their countries are free, fair, verifiable and credible. Neither has attempted to reform the electoral machinery to alleviate allegations of voter rigging and imposition of illegal representation.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been in office for 1526 days as of 22nd May, 2025 and Namibian president has been in office for merely 64 days. This suggests the Namibian president is most likely to have a lasting impact in her country than president Samia Suluhu Hassan who lacks a political base of her own to stamp her vision, ambition and legacy.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan is more wary of stepping on too many toes lest she is undermined by those who would feel negatively impacted by her reforms. It may narrates why president Samia Suluhu Hassan is always reshuffling her pack lest she be deemed messing up with those who carry significant political weight.
She has not reduced the size of her cabinet and has widened the room for presidential appointees indicating a quest to placate various factions in her ruling party.
Namibian president was quick to flip women underrepresentation in the cabinet while president Samia Suluhu Hassan has been slow to rectify gender disparities in her government partially due facing resistance and hostilities from senior government officials who are still smarting up to comprehend how a woman could be their president in the first place. Severally, she had to remind her “doubting Thomases” no sooner she was sworn in, gender shouldnt be an issue:
“…huyu aliyesimama hapa ni Raisi wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania ingawaje ana jinsia ya kike…” end of quotation.
Her Namibian counterpart faced no such gender biases hence she had a free hand to address gender imbalances in senior government posts without fear of resistance.
Read more analysis by Rutashubanyuma Nestory
