A woman who joined Namibia's independence movement in the 1970s is a strong contender to become its first female leader as the country votes in a presidential election.

Namibians vote Wednesday in pivotal presidential and legislative elections that could upset the ruling South West Africa People's Organisation's 34-year grip on power .

Voters head to the polls on Wednesday in the latest test for one of southern Africa’s liberation parties, which have been rebuked at the ballot box this year.

Voting is under way in Namibia in what could be the most competitive election since independence from white-ruled South Africa 34 years ago. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is seeking to become the country's first female president.

Namibia’s SWAPO party is facing its toughest election yet, as young voters and strong opposition are threatening its 34-year rule

Namibia's vice president was among the first voters in elections Wednesday that could see her become the desert nation's first woman leader, even as her ruling SWAPO party faces a

If things work out as Namibia’s long-time governing party hopes, the country will be electing its first female head of state this week. But a mood of disillusionment with liberation movements in southern Africa,

In southern Africa, liberation movements are losing ground. Namibia's SWAPO, in power since 1990, may see a decline but faces no imminent collapse.