Namibia poised to elect first female leader

Namibia’s vice president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is in the lead after early voting (AP)

A 72-year-old woman who joined Namibia’s underground independence movement in the 1970s is a strong contender to become its first female leader as the country voted in a presidential election.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is the current vice president and the ruling Swapo party’s candidate for the top job. She is already in the lead after special voting among citizens overseas and the armed forces.