WINDHOEK: People from all walks of life joined members of the entertainment industry at the Independence Arena in Windhoek on Wednesday to pay tribute to the late President Hage Geingob, whom many performers described as a music lover.

‘Music was very dear to his heart,’ said Lebu Mothabeang from the Sigera band as he performed one of the late Head of State’s favourite songs titled ‘Mann Barg.’

Another band member, Lucky Gawanab, said their band was one of Geingob’s favourites and he would occasionally ask them to perform at his house and farm.

Geingob’s cousin, he said, requested that the band play another one of his favourite songs titled ‘Waiting for your name to be called’ by Sankomota, which had the crowd in raptures as they lifted their hands up to honour and celebrate the late president.

‘I met him in 1990 when he was prime minister. He found out that I am a singer and I’m in a band and from there on… He would always request our music. He liked Jazz,’ said Gawanab

Namibia’s biggest artists also pe
rformed songs of different genres that brought the crowd to their feet, the melodies filling their hearts with emotion that transported them down memory lane in honour of the late president.

‘The day I heard the news it was so painful, and I felt that the only way I could comfort myself was to get into the studio and just speak these words into that mic,’ said renowned gospel artist Naomi Muyunda, known by stage name as Jael Promise Mk, who performed a song titled: ‘Legendary Father.’

The song, recorded two days after his passing, celebrates Geingob as a legendary father, with the lyrics ‘Land of the brave in spite of the pain. Let’s celebrate a legendary father… We say Omake, Omake, we celebrate a legendary father.’

An emotional gospel tribute by Ndeda, real name Helena Andreia Ngombe, once again had everyone in the arena on their feet with the words ‘Go well Mr President, we love you, may your soul rest in peace’ while they celebrated the life of Geingob, described by some as a ‘gigantic legend.’

Before
performing his song titled ‘Nifonere,’ Katima Mulilo’s finest, Dj Siya born Siyaya Alexander Sikalumbu, expressed that Geingob was the only president who could go to shows and jive with artists, adding ‘I was in Katima Mulilo in 2019 and the big man joined me on this song.’

Monica Pineas, well known as TopCheri, following her performance of the song ‘I’m calling heaven’, said: ‘I was honoured to have experienced him as a president that supported me and everything I do.’

Namibia’s two most high-profile musicians, Gazza and King Tee Dee, who performed during the late Geingob’s presidential campaign in 2014, also performed at the event.

King Tee Dee, real name Martin Morocky, expressed gratitude to Geingob, saying he once received a call from him to advise him during a feud he was involved in over music awards.

‘I don’t know where he got my number from. He called me and said do not worry about what they are saying, focus on your life and make sure that you are great,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Gazza (Lazarus Shii
mi) said ‘If we really love Hage, like we are showing that we love him now… We know what he would have wanted in November, so let’s do it.’

A series of musical tributes have been crafted by many entertainers in honour of Geingob.

Geingob died at the age of 82 in a Windhoek hospital. His memorial service is scheduled for 24 February, to be followed by his burial on 25 February 2024 at the Heroes’ Acre on the outskirts of Windhoek.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency