Botswana continued its solidarity and offering solace after the death of president Hage Geingob by hosting a memorial service yesterday in that country’s capital, Gaborone, stating that Namibia’s loss is an equal loss to the Batswana.
President Nangolo Mbumba said following Geingob’s passing on 4 February, Botswana’s president Mokgweetsi Masisi was the first head of state and government to travel to Namibia within 48 hours to comfort Namibians, specifically the widow, Monica Geingos, the children, and the entire bereaved family.
He noted that these consolations demonstrate the solid bond of friendship which exists between the two nations, and are a testament of the special friendship that was forged.
“Botswana is indeed a fitting place for this solemn memorial. It is in Botswana where Geingob started his journey into exile as a Swapo freedom fighter in December 1962,” said Mbumba.
He observed that until his last breath, the late Geingob was in service of the Namibian people, and the country is comforted by the hard work to liberate Namibia and charting a new future of prosperity for all Namibians.
“As we mourn the passing of president Geingob, we must emulate and celebrate the values of good neighbourliness and unity he championed. Let us draw inspiration from his exemplary legacy as we continue the journey towards a better future for the people of Botswana and Namibia,” he continued.
Masisi recalled that on 25 February 2024, Namibians from all walks of life lined up in the unfavourable and adverse weather conditions to bid farewell to their president.
“In the same expression of grief, we too in Botswana are here to memoralise, honour and celebrate him as we love and cherish him,” he stated in his opening remarks.
Said Masisi: “We will never forget the little boy born on a settler’s farm in Grootfontein, who ended up as the president of the Land of the Brave. We are encouraged by what we saw in Namibia; there was never a moment where madame Geingos and the bereaved family were without comfort and support in that great hour of need.”
Masisi noted the calm, tension-free mourning period, and President Nangolo Mbumba taking over the leadership role without any ructions.
“We, too, found it fitting that the great admiration with which Geingob was held should also be celebrated here in Botswana because we have skin in the game in the life of Geingob. He was a towering figure, a leading statesman both in stature and accomplishment, yet he bowed himself, dressed in unmistaken humility,” emphasised Masisi.
Through Botswana
He boasted that it is no surprise that all former Namibian presidents, including the current head of state, found refuge, safety and passage in and through Botswana in pursuit of liberation. This is a demonstrable fact that Botswana’s foreign policy posture has always been predicated on “wishing for others what we wish for ourselves”.
“Namibia is a good neighbour, and president Geingob had through his life conquest and efforts to build this wonderful country added value to the neignbourhood. A neighbourhood that we in Botswana are resolute to continue embracing ceaselessly with now President Mbumba at the helm, and well beyond our terms of service,” he promised.
Masisi and Geingob established an ambiance and pattern whose ultimate objective could hopefully one day result in the elimination of the two countries’ borders.
“May the soul of my dear brother president Hage Geingob rest in eternal peace. Botswana and Batswana say a big thank you for making us better, and for having touched our lives. We offer comfort to madame Monica Geingos and the family for loving and respecting our shared president to the very end,” he said.
African Union chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said the memorial hosted by Botswana is a testament to the deep footprint that the legacy of the late Geingob had in Namibia and Botswana, and the continent at large.
Deep friendship
“Namibia and Botswana are more than just neighbours. It is a deep friendship and shared vision for greater development for your people that you score the principle of Harambee,” said Mahamat, who appeared at the memorial virtually.
He added that the late president shaped Namibia after spending the vast majority of his life fighting for liberation, advocating for effective governance, continental unity and global order.
“The late president moved with unwavering courage and clarity. His vision for a free Namibia and a strong continent - that was a partner in global ethos - never wavered, whether it was during the liberation struggle or after Namibia’s independence,” he observed.
Mahamat said: “He (Geingob) played an outsized role as a freedom fighter and a petitioner at the United Nations for the liberation of Namibia during exile. Like most of his comrades from Swapo, he fought tirelessly for an independent Namibia.”
The AU chair fondly recalls the late statesman as the first and only director of the United Nations Institute for Namibia in Lusaka, Zambia that trained Namibian civil servants during the struggle.
Mahamat said Geingob was determined to have a Namibian House where all citizens had equal opportunities to share prosperity through academic and social development.
Geingob’s parallel gift of human connection and legendary humour will thus never be forgotten.
Race
Reverend Gabriel Tsuaneng said the pain carried through the loss of such a counterpart should be a refresher to highlight the role which a president like Geingob played.
“This is an indication that late president Geingob ran a race, and he ran it well, and played a part in human life. We must continue to surround our Namibian brothers and sisters with love and prayers,” he noted.
Tsuaneng added that president Geingob took an oath, taking the highest office and accepting its responsibility to lead a people in the midst of socio-economic challenges, to lead people against turbulence and possibilities of conflict.
“We celebrate the life of president Geingob, knowing way too well that his dreams of a progressive and prosperous Namibia shall live on beyond the time of his era. The people of Namibia will run with the baton of his dreams,” he stated.
Official business
On the sidelines of the main event, the two presidents and their teams comprising diplomats, bureaucrats and technocrats also engaged in some official business, further deepening the existing ties which are etched blood.
The areas of water, railway construction and agriculture will continue to enjoy priority for the shared prosperity of the two nations.
“Relations between Namibia and Botswana are so good, and we have to do the right things at all times”, he said.
During the bilateral talks, Mbumba expressed that his working visit was aimed at introducing himself as the fourth president of the Republic of Namibia, following the untimely passing of Geingob.
Mbumba returned home yesterday.
- psiririka@nepc.com.na
Caption: (Botswana)