Former First Lady of Namibia, Monica Geingos, reminisced on late president Hage Geingob’s strong belief in education during the Africa-America Institute’s (AAI)) 40th Annual Awards Gala, which took place recently.

Geingos noted this in a social media post on Wednesday, following the event that paid tribute to the late president by honouring him as a champion of education, and a steadfast supporter of AAI’s mission. 

“He believed deeply in the power of education, and feared the poverty of the mind. This understanding guided him, and he continued to learn throughout his life,” the post noted. 

This year’s AAI 40th Annual Awards Gala was in celebration of the contributions and achievements of African and Diasporan artists and cultural icons and took place in New York City, coinciding with the United Nations General Assembly under the theme ‘Bridging Cultures and Igniting Futures: An Evening Honouring African and Diasporan Visionaries in Arts and Culture’. 

The AAI Annual Awards Gala, established in 1984, is a New York-based celebration of African achievements and the global African diaspora, contributing to new narratives about Africa. “He was a thoughtful person with a kind heart, consistently approaching every situation with the question of how he could make things better. 

This mindset made him an exceptional leader, father, friend, and husband,” she added. Geingob’s widow said that her late husband was a victor with resilience and strength and lived by the belief that transparency and accountability equal trust, adding he embodied this truth without contradictions. -Nampa

Photo: Nampa