Hage Geingob Namibia’s President Passes On After Suffering From Cancer

Namibia is in mourning as it bids farewell to President Hage Geingob, a revered leader who unfortunately passed away at the age of 82 in a Windhoek hospital. In a somber statement, Acting President Nangolo Mbumba expressed the nation’s grief, underscoring Geingob’s pivotal role as a liberation struggle icon and the chief architect of Namibia’s constitution.

Revealing his battle with cancer last month, President Geingob, accompanied by his dedicated wife, Madame Monica Geingos, and their children, faced the final moments of his tenure. The discovery of “cancerous cells” during a routine medical check-up in January shed light on the courageous challenges he confronted.Geingob’s legacy encompasses being Namibia’s longest-serving prime minister and its third president, initially elected in 2014.

Born in 1941 in northern Namibia, he defied historical norms as the country’s first president outside the Ovambo ethnic group, which comprises over half of the population. His early activism against South Africa’s apartheid regime, ruling Namibia at the time, led to his exile for nearly three decades.The leader underwent brain surgery in 2013 and an aortic operation in South Africa last year, showcasing his resilience in the face of health adversities.

Lady Pohamba Hospital in Windhoek bore witness to his unwavering fight against illness until his last breath.As the nation grapples with this loss, Mbumba urges calmness, assuring that the government will promptly address state arrangements. A cabinet meeting will convene immediately to attend to necessary protocols.Namibia, set to hold presidential and national assembly elections later in the year, faces a significant transition. The void left by Geingob’s departure leaves a profound impact on the nation, marking the end of an era led by a devoted servant, a visionary, and a pivotal figure in Namibia’s history. The nation must now navigate this period of change with collective strength and resilience.