Month: February 2024

WINDHOEK: Namibians have been taking to social media to express their sorrow and admiration for President Hage Geingob, who died in Windhoek on Sunday morning due to cancer complications.

Acting President Nangolo Mbumba broke the startling news to the nation that the Head of State passed away just after midnight.

As the nation comes to terms with the death of President Geingob, both ordinary and prominent individuals took to Facebook and X to express their heartache.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for International Relations, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on X (formerly Twitter) said: ‘It is with sadness that I learned of the untimely passing of President Comrade Hage Geingob – a true democratic and transformational leader who touched many lives.

‘His legacy will live on in our hearts and minds. I join all of you in sharing our deepest condolences with the bereaved family and the entire nation. May his soul rest in peace,’ Nandi-Ndaitwah wrote.

The official opposition leader, McHenry Venaani, wrote on his X
profile, ‘We commiserate with our great nation on the colossal loss of my dear brother, political adversary, and State president, Hage Geingob. He was a man of great stature, a deft negotiator, and a worthy opponent.’

Sociopolitical activist and academic Job Amupanda also paid tribute to the late Head of State.

‘Dear Namibians, things end, and so does life. Sometimes easily, and other times painfully. The sun rises and sets – first breath and last breath. History will indeed absorb you, Grootman. Farewell President. Farewell grootman. We will continue where you left off. Condolences to the First Lady, Monica Geingos, the children, and the Geingob family,’ Amupanda wrote.

Windhoek Mayor Queen Kamati also expressed her sadness and that the president’s untimely passing has left a void.

‘It is with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that I extend our profound condolences on the passing of our esteemed Head of State. The President of the Republic of Namibia, Dr Hage Geingob. His unwavering leadership and profound d
edication to the Republic of Namibia have left an indelible mark on our nation,’ Kamati said in a statement released on WhatsApp.

Many users expressed their sorrow by replacing their profile pictures with those of President Geingob. Others flooded his official Facebook page with messages of condolences and praise for the Namibian third president.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: Former Vice President Nangolo Mbumba has been sworn in as the fourth President of the Republic of Namibia, following the sudden death of President Hage Geingob early on Sunday.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been appointed as Vice President.

Mbumba said he will only serve Namibia for a short period of time, until the elections.

He made the announcement during his swearing-in as the new and fourth President of the Republic of Namibia, following the passing on of President Hage Geingob.

Geingob, 82, died in hospital in Windhoek at 00h04 on Sunday.

Namibians are heading into National and Presidential elections towards the end of this year, and President Geingob’s term was to end 21 March 2025.

‘Thank you for the honour bestowed on me for a short period of time until the elections are held. Don’t panic, I will be serving you for the remainder of Dr Geingob’s term. I am not going to be around for elections,’ he said.

Mbumba was sworn in by Chief Justice Peter Shivute at State House. The ceremony was a
ttended by Cabinet ministers, Speaker of the National Assembly Peter Katjavivi and former President Hifikepunye Pohamba, among others.

‘I accept with humility, the noble assignment bestowed upon me, that of appointment as the President of Namibia,’ he said in a sombre mood.

‘It is poignant and reassuring to note that today, even in this time of loss, our nation remains calm and stable,’ Mbumba said, adding that this is owing to the visionary leadership and foresight of President Geingob who was the chief architect of the Namibian Constitution and the champion of the governance architecture, based on sound processes, systems and institutions that guide the country today.

Mbumba urged all Namibians to remain united and to keep the bereaved family in their prayers during the period of mourning.

With Mbumba assuming the Office of the President, a vacancy was created in the Office of the Vice President.

He has appointed Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as Vice President with immediate effect.

Nan
di-Ndaitwah was also sworn in by Chief Justice Shivute.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed condolences following the death of Namibia’s President Hage Geingob.

A statement issued by Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Ramaphosa is deeply saddened by the passing of Geingob.

‘On behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, President Ramaphosa extends deep condolences to the Government and people of Namibia, and especially First Lady Madame Monica Geingos and the immediate and extended family,’ Magwenya said.

The Head of State died in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Windhoek early on Sunday. He returned from the United States of America on Wednesday after having undergone specialised cancer treatment.

Ramaphosa also extended his sympathies to Nangolo Mbumba, who was appointed President of the Republic of Namibia, the Cabinet, the leadership and members of the Swapo Party.

‘Today, South Africa joins the people of our sister state Namibia in mourning the passing of a leader, patriot and friend of South Afric
a. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Geingob family and the people of Namibia who have lost an outstanding leader in a year in which Namibia, like South Africa, is due to hold elections,’ President Ramaphosa said.

He further stated that he is deeply saddened at this time ‘as I reflect on the privilege I had as recently as October 2023 to be hosted by President Geingob, Madame Geingos and the Cabinet on a working visit to Namibia.’

During the visit, Ramaphosa said, they committed the two countries to even closer partnership, inspired in great measure by Geingob’s passionate conviction about the countries’ shared future as nations and greater opportunities and prosperity for citizens on both sides of the Orange River.

‘President Geingob was a towering veteran of Namibia’s liberation from colonialism and apartheid. He was also greatly influential in the solidarity that the people of Namibia extended to the people of South Africa so that we could be free today. We are therefore filled with appreciation and
sadness at the passing of a comrade in struggle and a close partner in our democratic dispensation. May his soul rest in peace,’ Ramaphosa said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: The President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa and former President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta have expressed their condolences at the passing of President Hage Geingob, describing him as a great leader who contributed immensely to Namibia’s liberation.

Mnangagwa extended his heartfelt condolences to Geingob’s family and the people of Namibia in an official statement.

‘President Geingob’s leadership and resilience will be remembered. May his soul rest in peace. Our thoughts are with Namibia during this difficult time,’ Mnangagwa said.

In his message of condolences to the family of the late Geingob and the people of Namibia, Kenyatta said he was deeply saddened by Geingob’s death.

‘No words can sufficiently convey the magnitude of the loss as President Geingob was a distinguished servant of the people, an outstanding statesman and a great leader full of wisdom. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, the Government and the people of Namibia during this difficult time of grieving and los,’ Keny
atta said.

He added that he was privileged to have interacted with Geingob and treasures the wisdom and knowledge of a statesman shared with humility and grace.

‘We will always remember and cherish his huge contribution to the welfare of the people of Namibia and Africa as a whole,’ Kenyatta added.

The former Kenyan Head of State urged the people of Namibia to uphold the late President Geingob’s legacy.

President Geingob, 82, died on Sunday at a hospital in Namibia’s capital Windhoek.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency