Keele alumna becomes first female President of Namibia | 13
Netumbo’ s political career began in 1966 when she joined the South West Africa People’ s Organisation( SWAPO) political party and former independence movement at the age of 14.
Netumbo left the country in 1974 in exile to campaign for Namibia’ s independence before returning to Namibia shortly after graduating from Keele. Following Namibia’ s independence in 1990, she was appointed the country’ s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
During her political career, Netumbo has held the positions of Minister of Women’ s Affairs and Child Welfare( 2000-2005), Minister of Information and Broadcasting( 2005-2010), Minister of Environment and Tourism( 2010-2012), and Minister of Foreign Affairs( 2012-2015).
She played a pivotal role in advocating for the protection of the rights of women and children and, as President of the Namibian National Women’ s Organisation( NANAWO), she worked with the Law Reform Commission of Namibia, to promote the adoption of national legislations on Married Persons Equality and Domestic Violence.
In the run-up to the election, Netumbo campaigned for youth empowerment, sustainable development and improving the education system in Namibia. She promised to create more jobs and tackle the 20 % unemployment rate for young people and graduates.