Author: Henning Melber, Extraordinary Professor, Department of Political Sciences, University of Pretoria

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (72) is almost guaranteed a place in Namibian history as the first woman to become the president of the southern African nation of three million people. At Namibia’s independence in 1990, “NNN”, as she is widely known, became a member of the national assembly. She has held several ministerial positions since then. However, her career took a short downturn when she was accused of supporting a dissident faction in the party in the fight over the succession of President Sam Nujoma. NNN was among those temporarily damaged but survived the vendetta. Supported by Nujoma’s successor Hifikepunye Pohamba, she…