Lerato Mbhiza
IN a statement from the Presidency a few hours after the death of His Excellency President Hage Gottfriend Geingob of the Republic of Namibia on Sunday morning, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said he was “deeply saddened by the passing early today” of his 82-year-old neighbour and counterpart.
“On behalf of the government and people of South Africa, President Ramaphosa extends deep condolences to the government and people of Namibia, and especially First Lady Madame Monica Geingob and the immediate and extended family.
“President Ramaphosa extends his sympathy to Acting President of the Republic of Namibia His Excellency Dr Nangolo Mbumba, the Cabinet of our neighbouring state and the leadership and members of the SWAPO Party at this time of mourning,” the Presidency said in the statement.
Geingob died early on Sunday in a Windhoek hospital where he was being treated for cancer. A statement released by the acting Namibian President Dr Nangolo Mbumba confirmed Geingob passed away at around 00H04 at Lady Pohamba Hospital where he was receiving medical treatment.
“His medical team, as I informed the nation only yesterday, has been trying its utmost best to ensure that our president recovers. Regrettably, notwithstanding the team’s spirited effort to save his life, sadly, fellow Namibians, President Geingob passed on,” Mbumba said.
“The Namibian nation has lost a distinguished servant of the people, liberation struggle icon, the chief architect of our constitution and pillar of the Namibian house. At this moment of deepest sorrow, I appeal to the nation to remain calm and collected while the government attends to all necessary state arrangements, preparations and other protocols”.
Geingob had been dogged by ill health. Late last month he traveled to the US for treatment after the discovery of cancerous cells during a routine colonoscopy and gastroscopy .
As prime minister in 2014, he told the public that he had survived prostate cancer. He became president the following year in 2015 and was on his second term as head of state.
He also served as the country’s first prime minister, a position he held from 1990 to 2002 under former President Sam Nujoma, after Namibia gained independence from South Africa.
President Ramaphosa said: “Today, South Africa joins the people of our sister state Namibia in mourning the passing of a leader, patriot and friend of South Africa.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Geingob family and the people of Namibia who have lost an outstanding leader in a year in which Namibia, like South Africa, is due to hold elections.
“I am deeply saddened at this time as I reflect on the privilege I had as recently as October 2023 to be hosted by President Geingob, Madame Geingos and the Cabinet on a Working Visit to Namibia.
“During the visit, we committed our two countries to even closer partnership, inspired in great measure by President Geingob’s passionate conviction about our shared future as nations and greater opportunities and prosperity for citizens on both sides of the Orange River.
“President Geingob was a towering veteran of Namibia’s liberation from colonialism and apartheid. He was also greatly influential in the solidarity that the people of Namibia extended to the people of South Africa so that we could be free today.
“We are therefore filled with appreciation and sadness at the passing of a comrade in struggle and a close partner in our democratic dispensation.
“May his soul rest in peace.”
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