Namibia mourns the passing of President Hage Geingob, who died at the age of 82 while undergoing medical treatment at a hospital in Windhoek, the capital city. Geingob, a veteran of Namibia’s independence struggle, had bravely battled cancer, which he publicly disclosed last month.
Vice-President Nangolo Mbumba announced President Geingob’s passing, stating that Namibia has lost a distinguished leader. According to the constitution, Mbumba will serve as acting president until the completion of Geingob’s second term, which ends in less than a year. Presidential and parliamentary elections are already scheduled for November.
The exact cause of President Geingob’s death was not disclosed, but he recently underwent treatment for cancer in the United States before returning home on January 31, 2024.
Across Namibian radio waves, citizens are paying tribute to Geingob, remembering him as a visionary leader with a jovial spirit. World leaders, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, have sent condolence messages, acknowledging Geingob’s significant role in Namibia’s liberation from colonialism and apartheid.
Geingob, a towering figure with a commanding presence, spent 27 years in exile, advocating for Namibia’s freedom. He returned to his homeland in 1989, a year before Namibia gained independence. Geingob served as president since 2015, marking his second and final term. Despite initial overwhelming electoral victories, his popularity waned amid economic challenges, unemployment, and corruption scandals, including the infamous “fish rot” scandal.
As Namibia reflects on Geingob’s legacy, it grapples with evolving challenges and aspirations, with a new generation questioning the heroic narrative of liberation politics.
