A lion has left the jungle, a titan has left the forefront Renowned philosopher Aristotle once said that death is the most terrible of all things.
Indeed, a terrible thing happened early on 4 February 2024.
Namibia was robbed of a leader, the nation lost a figurehead, the country lost a president. His Excellency Dr Hage Gottfried Geingob is no more. He has departed to the world beyond comprehensible experience and human imagination. The lion has disappeared from the jungle!
The death of this revolutionary has shattered many, from opposite ends of the socio-economic and political space. A revolutionary has fallen, a diplomat has departed, a politician has gone home, a great statesman has passed on, and above all, a devoted Christian has gone to eternity!
This illustrious son of the soil was a giant of a man, both in physical stature, political savvy, and intellectual sapience. From a humble beginning as a school teacher, he rose through the ranks as a freedom fighter, international civil servant, educator, legislator, administrator and first citizen of an independent, democratic republic.
It is painful, unbelievable and distressing, but particularly true that we now refer to him as the late president. With a heavy heart, I accept the reality that the lion has disappeared from the jungle. Geingob’s voice thundered through the walls of the Namibian legislative chamber, as a grounded, seasoned and indomitable parliamentarian, driving the point home, arguing matters of national importance.
When necessary, he never forgot to flavour his speeches with jokes that generated laughter from both sides of the august House. He has served Parliament in different capacities, namely member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security; chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics, Natural Resources and Public Administration, deputised by yours truly; chairman of the IPU National Group; member of the Pan African Parliament; chief whip of the ruling party; and leader of government business in Parliament.
He exemplified the qualities of a pragmatic politician, venerable lawmaker and distinguished statesman. He enriched the debates of the august House with intellectual articulation.
Take it from me, as a parliamentarian, Geingob maintained a high standard, both in respect of debating and a dressing code.
Eish! Omes dressed to kill!
He was a gentleman by classic definition.Members of this august House were looking forward to his last state of the nation address, where he would interact with and account to the nation through their elected representatives. What a missed opportunity!
The lion has disappeared from the jungle!The builder of a Namibian House has downed tools.
It is now for us to safeguard the walls of the house not to crack! The captain of the ship has gone for a deep sleep. We should sail it through high waves and storms to avoid its sinking.
A dreamer has stopped to dream, and we should guard against turning his dreams into nightmares. He left us with the year of expectation. We expect nothing from him any longer – the lion has disappeared from the jungle! We are the ones expected to deliver to the Namibian people.
An old adage in my language says “the word ‘if’ does not fill a granary”. This means that this word represents a mere wishful thinking that is unattainable. During this period of the nation sobbing, the continent weeping and the world grieving, one is compelled to say: Comrade President, if only death could wait, but alas! if does not fill a granary. No amount of tears could bring you back! No short or long prayers will return you to life, my dear leader. Even if we speak in the tongues of angels and cherubs, we will not prevent you from going to your Creator!
But, Comrade President, know that you have left a vacuum and emptiness in our midst. It is hard to accept that the titan has left the forefront. The country has lost a Head of State, the Defence Forces have lost a Commander-in-Chief, the Inner-City congregation has lost a parishioner and a good singer, the Brave Warriors’ team has lost its number one fan, Monica has lost a husband and soulmate, the children have lost a father and pillar of strength. Your departure has left wounds in our hearts.
Comrade President, only that if does not fill a granary. If only death could wait, for there were still tasks to be accomplished. The international community was not prepared for your departure. Many were looking forward to you emptying the basket of wisdom on the rostrums of multilateral fora. The United Nations General Assembly was expecting your farewell address. Your intellectual debate and informed reasoning at the African Union’s Assembly of Heads of State taking place next week were loading.
Your constructive contribution at the SADC Summit this year was impending. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGM) will miss your valedictory statement. So, it is true that the titan has left the forefront?
Oh, No! if only death could wait. Only that “if” does not fill a granary.Comrade president, we are indebted for the petitions that you placed before the United Nations, and negotiations that you carried out for the cause of Namibia’s independence. We commend your leadership at the United Nations Institute for Namibians, overseeing the training of thousands of Namibians, who later made meaningful contributions to an independent Namibia.
We salute you for steering the proceedings of the Constituent Assembly to its successful conclusion, producing a constitution that has been hailed as one of the best supreme laws in the world.
We applaud you for demonstrating the skills of a best administrator during your tenure of office as Prime Minister. It is that sense of gratitude that the Namibian nation elevated you to the position of head of state, for they know that you always rose to the occasion, signifying the readiness to serve your motherland. For you, no task was too difficult to accomplish, no river was too deep to swim, and no forest was too thick to walk through. You took the responsibilities bestowed upon you by your comrades and the Namibian people with a sense of commitment to duty. Oh, yes! You understood the essence of serving the country and leading the nation. Only that “if” does not fill a granary. If only death could wait, you still had more to offer.
Comrade President, you were the epitome of humanity and generosity. You provided for the personal needs of countless people. Among others, you fed hungry families, paid tuition fees for needy students, and provided shelter to the homeless. I am amazed by the man of the people that you were, who interacted with people from all walks of life. You opened the doors of your house to many. Despite the demanding schedule of your office, you made time for comrades, friends and family members. Only that “if” does not fill a granary. If death could wait, they could still share relaxed moments with you – Omes, Axaba maan!
Comrade President, I extend to you my sincere gratitude for the mentorship that your provided to me, particularly during the time when I served as your deputy when you were chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics, Natural Resources and Public Administration.
I appreciate your repeated encouragement in the execution of my duties as a Cabinet minister. I cherish our one-on-one discussions here, there and elsewhere.
Go well, son of the soil!
*Peya Mushelenga is Namibia’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology.