OPUWO: The Ovaherero Traditional Authority, under the leadership of Professor Mutjinde Katjiua, on Monday joined the nation in remembering President Hage Gottfried Geingob, who died in Windhoek on Sunday aged 82.

In a statement issued on Monday, Katjiua described Geingob’s demise as a significant loss not only for Namibians, but for the entire African continent and the rest of the world.

Katjiua expressed the Ovaherero people’s condolences to former First Lady, Monica Geingos and the family.

He asserted that despite the president’s demise, his legacy and fervent dedication to humanity and Africa will endure.

‘He executed his global responsibilities with diligence and determination at the United Nations, where he began as a young political affairs officer, the World Bank’s Global Coalition for Africa, which he led, and his various roles at SADC, where he adeptly managed democratic transitions in several countries, and the numerous assignments he conscientiously carried out at the AU and globally,’ Katjiua
remarked.

He further added that Geingob’s contribution to Namibia is immeasurable, citing his tenure in Swapo as the chief envoy to the UN and the Americas.

Katjiua further highlighted that the late Geingob embodied the finer sensibilities and ambitions of Namibia’s diverse nation.

He noted that Geingob will be remembered for his proactive approach to global challenges such as the financial crisis and the COVID-19 outbreak.

While acknowledging disagreements, especially regarding the German-Namibian Joint Declaration, Katjiua emphasised that their candid, good-spirited disagreements did not diminish their appreciation for Geingob’s viewpoint. This viewpoint, rooted in his deeply held republican belief, held that ‘to be born a nation, the tribe must die.’

Moreover, Katjiua pointed out that the memorial shrine in honour of the father of Namibian nationalism, paramount Chief Hosea Kutako, stands as a tribute to Geingob’s ability to weave the different and complex narratives of the Namibian family into a unif
ied tapestry.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency