KATIMA MULILO - The Zambezi community has joined the rest of Namibia and beyond in mourning the late President Hage Geingob, hailing him for his visionary leadership.

Geingob, Namibia’s third President, died on Sunday at a Windhoek hospital at the age of 82. 

Nangolo Mbumba has been inaugurated as new President after Geingob’s death. Mbumba, after being sworn-in, appointed former Deputy Prime Minister, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as his Vice President.

Katima Urban councillor, Kennedy Simasiku said Namibia has lost a political giant. 

Simasiku described Geingob as a cross-generational leader who served the nation with distinction from its inception in 1990 and rightly so, passed on while serving his country. 

“The history of our republic will definitely be kind to comrade Hage Geingob for his safe pair of hands and unmatched leadership. I wish for Unam to one day bestow the honour of naming one of its schools The Hage Geingob School of Governance. We thank the Geingob family for sharing him with us. May he rest in Amandla,” Simasiku remarked.

With the new President and his vice president, Simasiku believes they are tested and trusted leaders of the nation and the smooth transfer of power bears testimony to that. “I do not doubt that they shall steer the ship in this hour of sadness and bereavement.”

On behalf of Sibbinda, councillor Mickey Lukaezi consoled the President’s family. 

He remembers Geingob as a remarkable person, adding he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

“Sibbinda constituency was deeply saddened to hear about the passing on of Geingob, please accept our heartfelt condolences. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Our thoughts are with all mourners and the family during this difficult time. It is not easy to explain who President Geingob was, but he was a born leader, and a veteran, just to mention a few. He was a great leader.  Being close to him during the previous presidential election made us to be who we are today. May his soul rest in peace,” Lukaezi comforted. 

A Zambezi youth, Dobson Kwala said President Hage Geingob’s death is heartbreaking news.

“My condolences to the family of the late, may the holy spirit comfort them during this tough moment, our beloved first lady Madam Geingos knew all the pain her lovebird had on daily basis, may the Lord comfort your inner soul grief,” Kwala consoled.

He remembers Geingob for his kindness and visionary leadership, the green hydrogen project which is a global environmentally friendly energy source aimed to create sustainable development for the Namibian house.

Further, he alluded the African continent lost a great man who loved Africa and served the continent through political activities, adding he brought Peace Corps to Namibia- the programme that the United States of America (USA) is funding and helps to educate the rural communities of Namibia.

Kongola’s Swapo district coordinator, Ace Mutelo expressed she is deeply sorry about the death of “our beloved President. I can’t understand how and why this has happened. We as Namibians and the Swapo party are in darkness. May your soul rest in peace,” she mourned.

Kabbe North councillor, Berhard Sisamu said Namibia have lost a hero in terms of his leadership skills. 

According to him, Geingob knew what he was doing.  “He was well vested with leadership skills from exile as director of elections. His death is a loss to Namibia, the whole SADC and beyond. We need to remain calm and mourn him with respect until when he will be put to rest,” he stated.

Sisamu welcomed the new leadership. “We welcome our new leaders. Mbumba was a vice president. He was an advisor to Geingob. I am sure he will lead the country in the right direction like his predecessor. The Vice President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was also earmarked as she was elected during congress as Swapo’s vice president. It’s a step forward in the right direction. I wish them all the best in their new positions.”

Zambezi education director Jost Kawana also extended sincerest condolences to the family of President Geingob. 

“You have our deepest sympathy and unwavering support. Wishing you peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow. We remain indebted to the late President for support of education for the Namibian child.” Meanwhile, former councillor for both Kabbe (north and south), Raphael Mbala described Geingob’s passing as a loss to Namibia and the world at large.

“We have lost one of our freedom fighters. He was one of the first people who went to the UN to petition in the attainment of Namibia’s independence. He was the first prime minister and assisted in the formation of the constituent assembly. Those are some of the achievements we remember him for. He was a good leader, and we regret having lost him,” Mbala noted.

Mbala welcomed the new President and his vice president, saying they have the capabilities to steer the country in the right direction until the elections in November.