CREDIT: FIDELIS DA-URI
Namibia is mourning the loss of its beloved leader, President Hage Gottfried Geingob, who succumbed to illness on Sunday (4th February 2024) while undergoing medical treatment.
The 82-year-old leader had been battling cancer and passed away despite the dedicated efforts of his medical team.
The announcement came from Vice President Nangolo Mbumba, who is now serving as the acting president of Namibia. In a somber address, Mbumba expressed the medical team’s relentless efforts to save President Geingob’s life. “Regrettably, notwithstanding the team’s spirited effort to save his life, sadly, fellow Namibians, President Geingob passed on,” Mbumba said.
The late President Geingob had been undergoing treatment since January 8, when he underwent a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy, followed by a biopsy, as disclosed by his office last month.
The nation had been anxiously awaiting updates on his health, and the news of his passing has left the country in grief.
Mbumba appealed to the nation for calm and collectedness during this difficult time. “Remain calm and collected while the government makes state arrangements and preparations,” he urged, promising that further details would be announced at a later date.
Hage Gottfried Geingob, born on August 3, 1941, was a prominent Namibian politician who served as the third president of Namibia from March 21, 2015, until his untimely demise on February 4, 2024. Geingob had a distinguished political career, being the first Prime Minister of Namibia from 1990 to 2002, and later holding the position again from 2012 to 2015. In November 2014, he was elected president of Namibia by an overwhelming margin.
Geingob’s academic pursuits took him to the United States, where he studied at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on a scholarship. He earned a BA degree from Fordham University in New York City in 1970 and an MA degree in International Relations from The New School in New York in 1974.
Beyond politics and academia, Geingob was known for his passion for football.
A die-hard fan, he attended many high-profile games. In his youth, he showcased his musical talents by singing in a choir and playing in a band.
Geingob also made regular appearances at the Namibia Annual Music Awards (NAMAs), reflecting his appreciation for the arts.
As Namibia mourns the loss of a leader who played a pivotal role in the nation’s history, preparations for state arrangements and tributes are underway.
The legacy of President Hage Gottfried Geingob will undoubtedly endure in the hearts of Namibians.
