Africa

Namibia's President Hage Geingob dies aged 82

Namibian President Hage Geingob in Pretoria on April 20, 2023. (Photo by Phill Magakoe/AFP)

By Yunis Dekow | Sunday, February 4, 2024

Geingob had been diagnosed with cancer and revealed his diagnosis to the public last month.

Namibia's President Hage Geingob died early Sunday in a hospital in Windhoek.

The President breathed his last at approximately 12.04 am at Lady Pohamba Hospital, where he had been under the care of his medical team following his cancer diagnosis.

Keep reading

His death was announced on Sunday, by acting President Dr Nangolo Mbuma conveyed the news of the passing of the head of state who said he was surrounded by his wife, Madame Monica Geingos, and his children.

"Despite the tireless efforts of his medical team, who had been striving for his recovery, the nation mourns the departure of a distinguished servant, a liberation struggle icon, the chief architect of the Namibian constitution, and a stalwart pillar of the Namibian house," said Dr Mbuma.

Dr Mbuma urged fellow Namibians to remain calm during this period.

The government, he said, is diligently attending to all necessary state arrangements, preparations, and protocols, with further announcements promised in due course.

Announcement of the Passing of H.E Dr @hagegeingob, President of the Republic of Namibia, 04 February 2024

Fellow Namibians,

It is with utmost sadness and regret that I inform you that our beloved Dr. Hage G. Geingob, the President of the Republic of Namibia has passed on… pic.twitter.com/Qb2t6M5nHi
— Namibian Presidency (@NamPresidency) February 4, 2024

State funeral arrangements

Cabinet members will convene immediately to address responsibilities associated with the loss and make further necessary state arrangements.

Geingob assumed the presidency following the November 2014 elections while concurrently holding the position of prime minister.

The election marked Africa's inaugural use of electronic balloting, with voters utilising e-voting machines across 4,000 polling stations nationwide.

His ascension to the presidency followed the conclusion of Hifikepunye Pohamba's two-term limit as stipulated by the constitution.

Born in 1941, Dr. Geingob's political journey began in 1990 when Namibia gained independence.

He served as prime minister until 2002 and later resumed the role in 2012 after a prior stint as minister of trade and industry.

A prominent figure within the ruling party and former liberation movement, the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), Geingob's influence grew as he assumed the vice presidency in 2007.

SWAPO has held power since Namibia's independence, with Geingob's leadership spanning various crucial roles in the nation's political landscape.