YOUNG women aspiring for leadership and professions must not allow discouraging voices to derail their ambitions, visiting Namibian President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has declared.

What matters most is calling on young people, particularly women, to embrace discipline and pursue their goals with determination in order to achieve success and fulfil their aspirations.

Delivering a public lecture at the University of Dar es Salaam on "Empowering women in breaking barriers to leadership: A personal experience, " she said that leadership is attainable for anyone who sets clear objectives and remains committed to them, regardless of background or gender.

“Leadership can be achieved through any profession. We’ve seen many women rise to the highest office—Joyce Banda of Malawi, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia, and myself. This number must grow. We need more women presidents,” she declared to wide enthusiasm.

She asserted that her election to the presidency was not because of gender considerations but due to vision and leadership capabilities, at the lecture attended by top government officials, academic staff and students.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah acknowledged the societal challenges women often face on their path to leadership, encouraging them to remain steadfast.

The visiting stateswoman arrived on Tuesday for a two-day state visit, where she was received by Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo.

She then held talks at the State House in Dar es Salaam with President Samia, whereupon the two leaders addressed the media, highlighting commitments to deepening bilateral cooperation.

The host leader said that Tanzania and Namibia had agreed to strengthen economic ties through enhanced trade and investment, with a focus on facilitating major joint projects. Private sector's role in generating employment and reducing poverty was equally emphasized, she stated.

They affirmed intent to expand collaboration in sectors including education, tourism, environment, livestock, fisheries and energy, appealing for increased private sector involvement as current investment levels remain below potential.

Trade between the two countries had increased from 17bn/- in 2019 to 20bn/- in 2023, the host leader stated, noting that this remains modest given available opportunities. The business community on either side need to seize opportune engagements, she said.

 Namibian investors could partner with Tanzania in value addition for livestock products, fisheries and tourism, she said, unveiling an educational partnership between the Open University of Tanzania and Namibia’s Triumphant College to teach Kiswahili. This will help to deepen bilateral ties and promote social cohesion, she said.

The visiting leader, in her remarks, disclosed that Namibia would soon send ministers from industry and trade sectors to Tanzania to gain insight into development programmes and explore opportunities to strengthen economic relations.

The two leaders had agreed on the importance of advancing a diversified energy mix—focusing on renewable energy and natural gas—to ensure reliable energy access to support industrial and social development across the Southern African region, she added.