Countrymen, countrywomen,  the youth, friends - as the darkest cloud is hovering over our nation, and we are trying to find terms about the sudden death of our beloved President His Excellency Dr Hage Geingob on 4 February 2024 - and we try to find solace in the Almighty and in each other as a bereaved, united family of the Namibian House - I feel it is my duty as a long-time columnist of New Era to pay tribute to the late president, who followed my writings in this newspaper. I had a few encounters with the late president, and it was during one these unplanned meetings that he told me that he was one of the readers of my writings in New Era, and that he liked what I was writing, and that I should keep on with my undertaking.

“I read your articles in the New Era,” said the late president, shaking my hand. “Please keep it up!” That was when I went to greet him and the former First Lady Monica Geingos, where they were seated. The venue was Dr George Simataa’s residence in Eros, where we had gathered to celebrate his 60th birthday. Thank you, Dr Simataa for inviting me to the function. My immediate reaction was, “Thank you, Your Excellency”, before I took back my seat. That evening, I was so overjoyed to hear that the president was following my writings. His humble remarks gave me motivation and encouragement to continue writing about issues that affect higher education. For who would not be happy to hear that the person occupying the highest office in the country expressing appreciation of one’s work? Ever since president Geingob’s remarks, I have felt more fired-up, and I contribute to this column almost on a weekly basis.  I also thank New Era editors, past and present, for always availing space for my contributions.

The other time I had a close encounter with the late Dr Geingob was at a State House function during Dr Hifikepunye Pohamba’s presidency when he was the Prime Minister of the Republic. For some reason, the three of us – Dr Geingob, Joel Kaapanda (former ICT minister) and myself – found ourselves talking, separate from the rest of the crowd. What I remember most was that Dr Geingob was telling us about the plans he envisioned when he took over as president. I listened intently when he talked about the transformation of the economy, poverty, traditional leaders, education and health, among other things he would address. To me, he displayed astute statesmanship before he took over as the third president of the Republic of Namibia. That evening, I saw a visionary, a rhetorical president who showed patriotism and love for the people of Namibia. I requested to have a photo of the three of us taken, and that was granted by both men. Unfortunately, I lost the prized photo when my cellphone disappeared. 

In president Geingob, we had a true pan-Africanist who embraced people of all African countries. At a function I attended at the National Theatre of Namibia where he was guest of honour, president Geingob lambasted colonisers for partitioning Africa and putting borders separating African countries and people. Directing part of his remarks to a Zimbabwean young lady living in Namibia who had won a prize at the function, he constantly referred to her as “my sister”, and said there was no difference between her and other Namibian women. She and others were supposed to feel at home in Namibia, he added. He then chronicled how he was assisted by fellow Africans when he went into exile, sojourning in Botswana and ending up in Kinshasa, then called Leopoldsville in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Then, during mid-December 2023, I met the former first lady at a function at Unam’s Medical School, and I asked how His Excellency was feeling. She told me that he was feeling better; and I said I wanted to go and see him. The first lady said I was welcome to come to State House any time to visit the first family, and see the president. Alas, as they say, procrastination is the thief of time. This visit was never to be, and I blame procrastination. 

It is true that president Geingob touched the lives of many people. I am one of those people; and I must say it here that I admired him and highly respected him. Go well, son of the soil. We will forever remember your exemplary legacy.

* Professor Jairos Kangira is a professor of English at the University of Namibia. Email address: kjairos@gmail.com