Geingob unites Namibia in anniversary …pain still fresh, says Geingos …people’s president remembered

Geingob unites Namibia in anniversary …pain still fresh, says Geingos …people’s president remembered

In their unique ways, gigantic and minuscule, Namibians from all walks of life yesterday paused to reflect and pay tribute to late President Hage Geingob, exactly a year after his death.

From social media posts to personal WhatsApp statuses and corporations taking out massive advertising space to documentaries which were aired the whole day, it was clear that Geingob, the ‘People’s President’, is dearly missed.

The ‘Nambian House’ has not been the same without the man who coined the title.

In a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, former First Lady Monica Geingos reflected on the profound loss, saying the pain is still fresh.

At a remembrance event held at State House, she shared personal memories and emotions, describing the void left by his absence.

The event began with a commemoration ceremony at Heroes’ Acre, where Geingos, the President, the president-elect, the prime minister, the deputy prime minister, children and family members laid wreaths. 

Geingos and the children then entered the mausoleum for a moment of silence to pay their respects to the late Geingob.

Emotions ran high as tears flowed and grief filled the air, with some struggling to hold
back their sorrow in the deeply-moving moment.

“Today, I’m glad he’s not here to tell me to get over it, or to say these things happen. Because what happened today last year was so painful. And the pain still feels so fresh – like it was yesterday,” an emotional Geingos said.

She acknowledged the widespread tributes to her husband, recalling how she tuned into the national broadcaster and read newspaper headlines that morning.

One particular sentiment struck her deeply.

 “Somebody said ‘the country is boring without Hage’. And I laughed, and then I cried, because it’s boring. Even in the house, it’s boring. It’s quiet,” she said.

Her speech vividly portrayed Geingob’s presence, humour and impact on those around him.

She recounted how their child, Dangos, once joked about her birthday celebrations being overshadowed by Geingob’s: “Dangos said ‘it’s your birthday, but it’s dad’s party.’ And that’s how he managed us”.

Geingos recalled her husband’s close friendships, particularly with President Nangolo Mbumba and his wife, Sustjie.

“President Mbumba has known Hage for over 50 years. He was only two weeks younger than Hage, but he made it seem as if it was two years. He really over-emphasised that he was two weeks older,” she said, smiling at the memory.

She shared how Geingob’s caring nature extended to his friends during times of need, particularly when Mbumba was ill with Covid-19. “He would call him every five hours: ‘What’s going on? Are you okay?’ And he would say ‘Yes, I’m fine.’ An hour later, he’d say to me ‘Call my sister. She’ll talk the truth,’” Geingos reminisced. The former first lady highlighted the deep relationships her husband built over decades, referencing his bond with Peter Katjavivi, whom he had known since age 16.

“They’ve known each other for 67 years. These men knew each other. And I remember at a birthday party for Hage, we were all asked to describe what we felt about him. Katja stood up, and said ‘Hage, I think the world of him.’ I never forgot that.” Amidst the personal stories, Geingos expressed her gratitude to Namibians for their outpouring of support.

“All I can do is say thank you to you – to this country. Because we knew the same person. Hage was the same person day in and day out. He was the most consistent person I knew,” she added.

She recalled Geingob’s characteristic storytelling, emphasising his insistence on truth.  

“In every scenario, you knew what he would say. You knew the stories he would tell. He told them word for word, sequence for sequence. And if you complained, he would say ‘Yeah, you liars. Your stories change because you’re telling lies. My stories don’t change because I’m telling the truth,” she reminisced.

Ties that bind

On the day, Mbumba paid tribute to his late friend and mentor, reflecting on the profound impact Geingob had on his life.

“I’m too young to carry Hage on my shoulder. But I must tell you, Geingob has carried me on his left shoulder and the right shoulder. Diplomatically in New York, politically in exile, and administratively in the Office of the Prime Minister,” he said.

Mbumba reflected on the moment he was sworn in as Head of State, some 14 hours after Geingob’s passing.

“It was here, exactly 365 days ago that I had – with tears in my eyes – to take the oath of office as the President of Namibia. And then after that, I thought, now I have the authority. I thought security protocol. The Office of the President should remain closed. The car of the president should be parked. And I’m going home with the car that brought me. Then [the] systems, processes and institutions of Hage Geingob caught up with me,” he recalled.

Mbumba humorously acknowledged the way systems, processes and institutions continued to operate, despite personal grief.

“By the time I got there, the flag in the middle was with the Vice President. All the other things had changed. Then I realised the powerlessness of powerful people,” he stated.

Lifelong friend

Taking to the podium, Katjavivi reflected on his long-standing friendship with Geingob, remembering the years they spent together from their youth to their political careers.  “I, for one, remember him for so many things in life that go back to our youth – back at high school. Indeed, Hage’s life is closely associated with Namibia’s struggle for freedom, independence and nation-building. Those two things are linked in his life,” he said.

He spoke of their many conversations about life, challenges, and their hopes for a peaceful retirement.

“I don’t know how often Hage, Nangolo and I would come together and talk about things we had witnessed in life, particularly challenges that confronted us. We looked forward to the day when we could all be out of active service and simply enjoy a moment of peace and tranquillity. In our case, he did not live to continue that discussion about simple things in life,” Katjavivi said.

For him, Geingob’s commitment to building a strong and united Namibia was unparalleled. “His drive and energy were directed to that idea of one Namibia, one nation. He upheld the rule of law, systems, structures and processes that enabled us to stand tall and be proud of who we are,” he added. -ljason@nepc.com.na