President Hage Geingob has declared a period of national mourning from today until Saturday during the State memorial and funeral of composer and author of the national anthem, Jacobus Axali Doëseb.

Doëseb died on 27 October 2023. He was 68.

A media statement issued by the Presidency on Wednesday said Geingob has ordered all flags in Namibia, including diplomatic missions abroad, to be flown at half-mast for the duration of the period of mourning.

A memorial service in his honour will take place today at Parliament Gardens and the State funeral on Saturday at the Pionierpark cemetery. 

Doëseb was born in Okahandja in 1954. He authored and composed ‘Namibia, Land of the Brave’, which has served as the nation’s anthem since 1991.

He also served as conductor of the Namibian National Symphony Orchestra and was a political campaigner for equal rights, FreeNamibia campaigns and student organisations in Germany. 

In recognition of his exceptional deeds, Doëseb was awarded with all-expenses-paid travel to all the countries where Namibia has diplomatic representation.

The Presidency further said a decision was taken a while back by the government to award N$2 million to Doëseb as a further token of appreciation for his work as the writer and composer of the national anthem, Namibia, Land of the Brave. 

“Following his passing, the money will be paid to his wife and children. The Namibian government lauds Mr. Doëseb for his patriotic contributions in building the Namibia nation by assigning to the Government of the Republic of Namibia the respective copyrights in the words and music of the said composition. Therefore, in terms of the National Symbols of the Republic of Namibia Act, 2018, the melody, music and lyrics of the National Anthem are declared to be in the public domain,” reads the statement.

Doëseb leaves behind his wife, Amalia and 10 children.

- Nampa