President Cyril Ramaphosa lauded new Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah after she was sworn in as Namibia’s first woman president last week.
“It is historic for Namibians to have their first woman president. It’s something we celebrate. It’s something that has long been in the making and this is about the recognition of the role the women on our continent play,” said Ramaphosa.
Her swearing-in ceremony on Friday was a historic milestone, not only for Namibia but also for the Southern African Development Community region, where she became the first woman to hold the highest office. She is also just the second woman to assume the presidency in Africa, after former Liberian president [Ellen Johnson Sirleaf](https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/africa/2017-09-14-why-liberian-president-ellen-johnson-sirleaf-is-no-feminist-icon/).
Ramaphosa’s comments were affirmation of the rising influence of women in leadership roles in Africa. He emphasised the importance of empowering women to take on top leadership positions.
“The more they are given the opportunity, the more they are recognised in their capability and their leadership. We want women on our continent to rise to the top positions in our different countries,” he said.
The event, in Namibia's capital Windhoek, was attended by heads of state from several African nations, including Angola, South Africa and Tanzania, all of whom celebrated Nandi-Ndaitwah’s rise to power.