Ester Mbathera
Namibia’s former First Lady, Monica Geingos has extended her thoughts and prayers to the Nujoma family as they face a difficult time.
Founding President Sam Nujoma has been hospitalised at Lady Pohamba Private Hospital since last week.
Speaking at the remembrance service of her late husband, President Hage Geingob, at State House on Tuesday, she expressed her empathy and solidarity.
“My heart and empathy are with the Nujoma family right now as they grapple with a lot of what we had to grapple with and we pray for them and we pray for the founding father,” she said.
She reflected on the legacy of Namibia’s past leaders, emphasising the contributions of Nujoma, former President Hifikepunye Pohamba, and Geingob, saying they had left the country with a clear direction.
She also shared her late husband’s vision of establishing a presidential centre where his published work, ideas, and the insights of those he respected would be preserved.
“We will do the same for other leaders so that their ideas also never die,” she said.
Geingos also addressed the upcoming book launch of Whispers of Freedom, written by Dr Audrin Mathe, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology.
She explained that while the book is about President Geingob, it is not authored by him, nor does it contain his writings.
“It’s a book about Hage written by Dr Audrin Mathe on his own initiative. Hage was aware of the book and was very pleased with Dr. Mathe for taking that initiative,” she said.
She revealed that her husband had reviewed the manuscript, corrected biographical information, and agreed to its publication but had declined to make any additions or deletions.
Last year, Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr. George Simataa published Timeless: My Career in Public Service, which includes a chapter dedicated to President Geingob.
“Hage read it; he commented on George for that initiative and both gestures by Dr Simataa and Dr Mathe really touched him,” Geingossaid.
Geingos further disclosed that her husband had agreed to have a book written about his life, but only if it focused on his leadership principles rather than personal experiences or controversies.
“He did not even want any controversial issues included in that book. What he wanted was for the book to focus exclusively on reviewing the leader’s principles that defined his contribution to the country. He wanted the focus to be on principles and not people. He even admitted that his thesis titled ‘State formation, good governance and democracy in Namibia’, was part autobiographical and that the substance that he wanted his book to take,” she said.
During the remembrance event, family friend Amos Shiyuka, who is also the chairperson of the Hage Geingob Cup, handed over N$150 000 to the Dr. Hage G. Geingob Presidential Centre.
The money proceeds from the final edition of the Hage Geingob Cup that took place on 19 October 2024.
“In the past, we used to go speak to him and he would direct us on where to send the money to. Last year we went to the family and we agreed that the proceeds of the 2024 10th and final edition were going to be channelled to the Dr. Hage G. Geingob Presidential Centre,” said Shiyuka.
President Nangolo Mbumba paid tribute to Geingob, describing him as a leader who dedicated his life to the country with unwavering passion and love.
“President Geingob touched many lives with his kindness, his generosity, his commitment to inclusivity and his hard work for the prosperity of the Namibian House,” said Mbumba.
He reflected on the difficulties the country has faced in 2024, including a severe drought and the conclusion of the presidential and national assembly elections in November.
“Throughout all these, the people of Namibia remained peaceful, calm and united. True to the motto of One Namibia, One Nation.
I am hopeful and confident that the message of unity, inclusivity and shared prosperity of our Namibian House, which President Geingob transmitted at all times, will be emulated by many of us and will continue to resonate throughout the ages as we put in the hard work of building a better Namibia,” he said.
The remembrance service was preceded by a visit to Geingob’s gravesite at Heroes’ Acre, where his widow, President Mbumba, President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, and other government officials laid wreaths.
His children were also present, standing together in remembrance of a man who dedicated his life to the nation.
