Tribute by H.E. Cde. Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaittwah, Vice President of the Republic of Namibia and the SWAPO Party, on the occasion of the Memorial Service of the former President of the Republic of NamibiaI, H.E. Cde. Dr. Hage G. Geingob

• Directors of Ceremony,
• Madam Monica Geingos, 3rd First Lady of the Republic of Namibia, the Children and the entire bereaved family,
• Your Excellency, Dr. Nangolo Mbumba, President of the Republic of Namibia and Madam Mbumba,
• Your Excellency, Dr. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, Founding President of the Republic of Namibia and Madam Nujoma,
• Your Excellency, Dr. Hifikepunye Pohamba, Second President of the Republic of Namibia and Madam Pohamba,
• Professor Peter Katjavivi, Speaker of the National Assembly,
• Your Lordship Sam Shivute, Chief Justice,
• Cde. Sophia Nahango Shaningwa, Secretary General of SWAPO Party,
• Honourable McHenri Venaani, Leader of the Official Opposition,
• Ministers and Deputy Ministers present,
• Members of Parliament,
• Veterans and Children of the Liberation Struggle,
• Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,
• Heads of International and Regional Organizations,
• Heads of delegations,
• Comrades,
• Fellow Namibians,
• Fellow Mourners.

Under the glorious banner of Freedom, Solidarity and Justice, the SWAPO Party family is grieved by the loss of our leader. We are nursing the deep and overwhelming pain of losing someone who was not only close to us but a valued member of our Party who dedicated his entire life to the cause of our revolutionary Party and to the Namibian nation. It is therefore, with a heavy heart and deepest sorrow that I stand here, to bid farewell and pay tribute to one of the Heroes of our Liberation Struggle.

In human history, every country is bestowed and gifted with outstanding Heroes and Heroines, whose lives are embodied in the national tapestry of its politics, economy, and culture, as well as social, and economic life. Namibia too, is blessed with outstanding leaders, revolutionaries and iconic giants who have made great contributions to the birth and growth of our country. Our departed President Comrade Dr. Hage G. Geingob is one of those Heroes.

From 1962, when he joined SWAPO up to 4 February 2024, when the entire Namibian nation woke up to the devastating news of his passing, it marked a period of 64 years of solid and total commitment and dedication to the just cause of our genuine freedom and independence, and, to the building of a united, peaceful and inclusive Namibia. He was a leader born into a generation that fearlessly sacrificed for a free and independent Namibia.

The SWAPO Party and our country has lost a revolutionary, visionary and towering Hero. He was a Divine Gift bestowed upon Namibia and its people. Building on the foundation laid by Comrade Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, the Founding President and Father of the Nation and Cde Hifikepunye Pohamba our Second President, Comrade Geingob focused on Namibia’s social progress and economic emancipation. He championed unity of purpose and action among all Namibians. He strived for inclusive economic prosperity for all our people. His name will remain engraved in the annals of our history.

Your Excellencies,
Fellow Mourners.

Our departed President’s contribution to the development and growth of Namibia, as a modern Constitutional Democracy leaves a visible permanent mark. He did not only contribute to the crafting of the democratic Constitution of Namibia that he chaired, but also strived to promote its full application in all the areas of governance during his tenures of Office, as the First Prime Minister and Third President of our country.

As Prime Minister, he championed the unification, modernization and the cultivation of a higher performance culture in the Namibian Public Service. His commitment and dedication to good governance is reflected in both the political and administrative architecture of our nation today. The direct access to his office by all the citizens of our country through open and transparent engagements was immensely promoted, while the political and administrative interface between the political principals and administrators was reinforced during his tenures of office. He was indeed a Peoples’ President.

During his Presidency, Comrade Dr. Hage G. Geingob has initiated the Harambee Prosperity Plan, a comprehensive policy tool, which is aimed at addressing the socio-economic development challenges facing the country and to fast-tracking the attainment of the goals enumerated in our long-term Vision 2030. The four pillars in the Harambee Prosperity Plan, namely Effective Governance, Economic Advancement, Social Progression, Infrastructure Development and International Cooperation, represent his pioneering goal to bring about an inclusive prosperity for all Namibians.

On the international front, our departed President leaves a legacy of a true champion of world peace and security, as well as equal sharing of prosperity among all the nations of the world. His voice was vocal at various international fora, particularly the African Union, UN and others for the promotion of multilateralism and equality among nations. The world was waiting with expectation for him together with his German counterpart to chair the UN Summit for the Future this year.

Fellow Mourners,
Fellow Namibians.

With the passing of our President, we will miss his parental, caring and unifying character. His absence leaves a gap in our midst, as SWAPO Party, and, as members of the entire Namibian House. One of the virtues that he dearly upheld and promoted, when he was alive was unity of purpose and action among all the people of Namibia.

At the Party level, Comrade Geingob advocated for the organic unity in the entire SWAPO Party leadership and the rank and file. We will embrace and continue to promote his legacy in order to ensure that SWAPO Party remains the Party of choice and a true political home for all Namibians.

As we mourn his passing, let us rededicate ourselves and continue to emulate his exemplary deeds in the second phase of the struggle for economic independence.

It is our belief that Comrade Geingob has joined other gallant sons and daughters of our land who have preceded him. May the revolutionary spirit of Cde Geingob endure, and may we honor him by building a prosperous Namibia, where generations will live in unity, peace and harmony. Comrade Geingob has also envisioned a Namibian House that is united, peaceful and inclusive. Let the current and future generations of Namibians continue to draw inspiration from his legacy.

Meme Monica Geingos, our 3rd First Lady of the Republic of Namibia, the Children, the entire bereaved family, on behalf of the SWAPO Party leadership and the entire rank and file, I extend to you our sincere heartfelt condolences, on the passing of our beloved President Dr. Hage G. Geingob. Thank you for sharing Comrade President Geingob with the nation, taking away from family time. We greatly share in your loss. May the Almighty God console and strengthen all of us during this difficult period of mourning.

GO WELL COMRADE DR. HAGE G. GEINGOB,

GO WELL OUR BELOVED PRESIDENT, OUR LEADER,

GO WELL OUR HERO,

REST IN PERFECT AND ETERNAL PEACE, COMRADE HAGE G GEINGOB.