Tujoromajo Kasuto
President Hage Geingob today joined other Heads of State to attend the State Funeral of the late Rupiah Bwezani Banda, the 4th President of the Republic of Zambia. The President returned this afternoon.
The Government and the people of the Republic of Namibia received with a sense of great sorrow, the sad news of the death of Rupiah Banda on the 11th of March, which Geingob described as a dependable friend of Namibia.
During this moment of grief, Geingob in a statement said that ”we have come to join the fraternal people of Zambia not only to mourn the death of President Banda but to also celebrate the life of an extraordinary patriot and a tenacious freedom fighter”.
“As a distinguished diplomat and statesman and a Pan Africanist beyond reproach, President Banda dedicated his entire life to the pursuit of freedom, justice and prosperity for the peoples of Zambia, Southern Africa and Africa at large,” added the President.
He further reminisces about the late Banda, who took on the responsibility of President of the United Nations Council for Namibia, while serving as the Permanent Representative of Zambia to the United Nations. ”During his tenure, Ambassador Banda became a pivotal voice on the international stage in advancing our cause for independence and sovereignty.”
”Without reservation consequently his passing is a monumental loss to the people of the Republic of Namibia, both as a staunch advocate for the democracy that is enjoyed today, as well as having been a true dependable friend,” said Geingob.
“We find refuge from our grief in the wake of his passing, in remembering his robust and steadfast contributions to the struggle for liberation in our region and the strides he made for the socio-economic development of the people of this region.”
It is against this background that Geingob thank the family and the Government of Zambia for organizing this most befitting and solemn send off in honour of this departed distinguished son of their great country.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of Namibia, I extend our most heartfelt condolences to the Government and fraternal people of the Republic of Zambia, to his widow Madame
