Male Patriarchy Disruptors March into History -Liberia’s EJS Celebrates Glass Ceiling Breaking Moment with Namibia’s First Female President

MONROVIA – Two trailblazers who redefined leadership in Africa – Africa’s first female president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, and Namibia’s first female elected president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, joined hands on March 21, 2025, to celebrate Namibia’s 35^th independence and the swearing in of the recently elected Namibian president, marking a defining moment not only for Namibia but for the entire African continent whose leaderships have been reserved mainly for males.

“The transition is assured! Two trailblazers who share not only a birthday, but a strong commitment to prove the power of women in public leadership”, a dispatch from Namibia, through the Office of the President said, noting that for decades, the highest political offices in Africa have been the preserve of men. “Yet, as we celebrate this victory, we are reminded of an undeniable truth: Women are just as capable of leading governments as men. President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s election signals a powerful shift in Africa’s political landscape and reaffirms the growing momentum for inclusive leadership.

“She now joins a distinguished group of African women who have risen to the highest office, following in the footsteps of Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Joyce Hilda Banda of Malawi, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim of Mauritius, Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia, Catherine Samba-Panza of Central African Republic, and Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan.

“As we celebrate this moment, we look forward to the bold steps President Nandi-Ndaitwah will take in shaping a prosperous future for Namibia and inspiring generations of African women and girls to lead, unapologetically,” the Namibia presidency said.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, becomes Namibia’s first female president following her significant electoral victory when she secured 57.31% of the vote in November, ensuring her place in history and extending the dominance of the SWAPO party, which has led Namibia since independence in 1990.

Meanwhile, Namibia’s new President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced her first Cabinet on Saturday, appointing Lucia Witbooi as the nation’s first female vice-president. She also announced eight women on the 14-persons’ cabinet.

It can be recalled that former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf recently led a high-level Liberian delegation to represent President Joseph Nyuma Boakai at Namibia’s historic presidential inauguration on March 21, 2025.

Serving as Special Envoy for Boakai, former President will advocate for Liberia’s bid for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council, scheduled for a vote in June.

According to a release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Liberian delegation includes Ambassador-at-Large Charles Snetter and Madam Joyce Mendscole.