WALVIS BAY - Residents of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, led by various spiritual leaders, paid tribute to late president Hage Geingob, who died on Sunday morning following his battle with cancer. Shocked and heartbroken residents from all walks of life arrived with candles to pay their respects to the president in the two respective towns on Sunday and Monday. A sadness descended upon the mourners as they were still in disbelief while listening to the spiritual leaders, who were comforting them with words of encouragement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the entire Namibian nation,” said businessman Johny Doeseb during the vigil.
He then expressed his appreciation to Geingob for his contributions since his youthful days to make Namibia and the world a better place. “You indeed have fought a good fight, but God the Almighty has better plans for you. Your deep voice is silent, but your memories will always live on,” he added.
Walvis Bay mayor Trevino Forbes said the president’s untimely death is not only a loss to his family, but to the entire nation. “Therefore, I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences and sympathy to his family and the nation. President Geingob’s legacy and contributions to the Namibian nation will be remembered forever. It will be remembered for years to come. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” he noted.
Local pastor Bennie Smith emphasised that the president left a legacy, and urged all Namibians to continue the race he had started.
“He was a lover of God. Leading this country was a calling from God, and he led us to the best of his abilities. He may be gone, but his legacy will live on. Let us continue his work, and pray for his family and the new president.” “It was a shock to learn about his death. Let us keep the family in our prayers,” said Swakopmund regional constituency councillor Louisa Kativa during the candlelight vigil held in honour of the late president in her town. United Democratic Front president Hendrick Gaobaeb also expressed his condolences to the Namibian nation and Geingob family on behalf of his party and leadership. “It is indeed a big blow to the entire nation. President Geingob was an icon, a gentle giant who had the political will, driven by the love for his people. Despite our political differences, we acknowledge his decisive leadership skills and resilience that he displayed during the pandemic crisis. It is sad that he has passed on so suddenly. I was looking forward to rubbing shoulders with him in my new tenure as the president of the UDF. I am comforted by the fact that he has left behind an impactful legacy. His memory will be cherished forever,” he said yesterday.
The Erongo Regional Council (ERC) also paid tribute to Geingob on Tuesday morning in Swakopmund. Chairperson of the regional council, Benitha Imbamba, urged all residents to respect and show compassion to each other, and to the family of the late president. Imbamba added during a special address to the ERC and delegated functions’ staff on the death of president Geingob at Swakopmund on Monday that the regional council has tried to ensure that the residents have an opportunity to sign a book of condolences.
“I would like to call upon all of us to express our love and sympathy for our departed leader through signing the book of condolences, which will be located at the main reception of the council”, she stated.
A range of videos of the president’s visit to Erongo will also be shared for Namibians on social media throughout the week.