Andreas Thomas

Swapo party members, supporters and sympathisers on Sunday evening gathered at its headquarters in Windhoek for a candlelight vigil in remembrance of the party president and head of State, the late Hage Geingob.

Leading the candlelight vigil, the party’s vice president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said party members and Namibians should uphold Geingob’s legacy of unity and inclusivity.

“We must continue to celebrate the life of comrade Hage Geingob with dignity and with commitment to continue building our political party and our nation under the one Namibian house in which everybody should not feel excluded,” she noted.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said that on 28 January 2024, Geingob while receiving medical treatment in the United State of America, called to assure her that [we] must continue to build the country and strengthen the party.

“Comrades little did I know he was saying farewell…I am comforted that he said goodbye even though I did not know it was a goodbye. I was waiting to receive him in the same manner that I had taken him to the airport when he departed on 24 January 2024,” she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said Geingob dedicated his entire life to the wellbeing of the people of Namibia, therefore his outstanding contribution to the Swapo party and the Namibian nation will forever be cherished.

Swapo party secretary general, Sophia Shaningwa expressed shock at Geingob’s passing, saying; “My comrade this is like… I don’t know how to explain it. It is unbelievable, it struck us unexpectedly. Dr Hage Geingob, I cannot believe [he] is not here.”

Geingob died at the age of 82 at a Windhoek hospital and his memorial service is scheduled for 24 February, to be followed by his burial on 25 February 2024.

- Nampa