Namibia’s ruling party, the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) won the country’s general election, which was originally scheduled for 27 November but later extended in some areas to 30 November. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah won the presidential election with 58.1 per cent of the popular vote, and SWAPO secured 51 of the 96 (53.1 per cent) directly elected seats in the National Assembly, the lower chamber of the country’s bicameral parliament. The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) came second, winning 20 seats, followed by Affirmative Repositioning (7 seats). Turnout for the presidential election was 76.1 per cent of registered voters (up from 60.8 per cent in 2019) and 75.7 per cent for the legislative contest (up from 60.4 per cent). Nandi-Ndaitwah was the only woman among the 15 presidential candidates and is set to become Namibia’s first female president. The election results, however, were disputed by opposition parties, who alleged several irregularities. In early December, they were reported to be preparing legal challenges. International election observers, while noting logistical problems and delays, concluded that the elections had been peaceful and conducted in accordance with Namibia’s legal framework.

Sources: Electoral Commission of Namibia (1), Electoral Commission of Namibia (2), International IDEA, The Conversation, The Windhoek Observer, Daily Maverick, African Union Election Observation Mission, SADC Electoral Observation Mission   

In late November, Namibians elected Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the country’s first female president (and the first in Southern Africa). According to official results, Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is a member of the governing South West Africa Peoples Organisation (SWAPO) party, won 58.1 per cent of the popular vote and is due to be inaugurated on 21 March 2025. She currently serves as Namibia’s Vice-President and has previously held several ministerial positions.

Sources: Electoral Commission of Namibia, The Namibian, British Broadcasting Corporation, The Conversation

Voter turnout in Namibia’s presidential and parliamentary elections reached a two-decade high. According to data from the Electoral Commission of Namibia, 76.1 per cent of registered voters cast their ballot in the presidential election and the figure was slightly lower for the parliamentary poll (75.7 per cent). Compared to the previous general election in 2019 (when turnout for the presidential election was 60.8 per cent and for the parliamentary elections it was 60.4 per cent), these represent increases of 15.3 percentage points. Ninety-one per cent of eligible voters were registered to vote in the 2024 elections.    

Sources: Electoral Commission of Namibia (1), Electoral Commission of Namibia (2), International IDEA, The Namibian

In a judgement delivered on 21 June, Namibia’s High Court struck down colonial-era laws criminalising same-sex conduct, ruling that they unfairly discriminated against gay men and were therefore unconstitutional. According to the Human Dignity Trust, an NGO, it is unclear whether, since independence, anyone engaged in consensual same sex activity had been convicted under the ‘sodomy’ and ‘unnatural sexual offences’ laws. It stated, however, that there had been arrests and that the laws had enabled stigma and discrimination that had affected the whole of the LGBTQIA+ community. The case was brought by prominent Namibian LGBTQIA+ activist, Friedel Dausab.  

Sources: High Court of Namibia, The Conversation, Human Dignity Trust

In July, majorities in both houses of Namibia’s parliament voted in favour of two bills purporting to override a ruling from the country’s Supreme Court in May 2023 that recognised same-sex marriages performed abroad. The draft legislation prohibits same-sex marriage, including those conducted abroad, by defining ‘marriage’ and ‘spouse’ in heterosexual terms and by criminalising the solemnisation, participation in, promotion, or advertisement of same-sex marriage in Namibia. Both bills were introduced in the National Assembly (the lower house) on 7 July as private members bills by a member of the governing SWAPO Party, before being passed by the Assembly on 12 July and the National Council (the upper house) on 19 July. Before becoming law, the bills will need to be approved once more by the National Assembly and signed by Namibia’s President. The speed of the legislative process was criticised by the country’s Ombudsman, who said that it prevented the necessary public scrutiny. Legal experts have also questioned the constitutionality of the bills.      

Sources: Marriage Amendment Private Members Bill, Definition of Spouse Private Members Bill, International IDEA, The Namibian (1), The Namibian (2), The Namibian (3), Southern Africa Litigation Centre             

In a judgement delivered on 16 May, the Namibian Supreme Court ruled that the state must, for the purposes of immigration, recognise same-sex marriages validly concluded abroad between a Namibian and a non-citizen. It found that the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration’s denial of residency permits to foreign spouses in two such marriages, violated the couples’ constitutional right to equality and dignity. The ruling makes Namibia the second African country, after South Africa, to recognise foreign same-sex marriages. However, the law in Namibia prevents same-sex couples from entering marriages and civil-partnerships and criminalises same-sex activity within the country. 

Sources: Namibian Supreme Court Judgement, Human Rights Watch, Voice of America