Martin Endjala
In her heartfelt tribute to President Hage Geingob during the memorial service last week, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila described Geingob as the people’s President.
“President Geingob was the people‘s President. He had the ability to draw people across different backgrounds, and this has continued to be the case in the aftermath of his death,” she said.
The Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said 4 February 2024 will go down as one of the darkest days in the nation’s history. Highlighting that although Geingob had publicly disclosed his health condition, which the nation appreciated its seriousness, many still hoped that he would pull through it.
She added that when the news of his death came, it caused profound shock and sadness, and it has continued to reverberate across the world and has generated an outpouring of messages of tribute and condolences.
She said Namibians have lost a leader, a father and the pillar of the Namibian house, and as public servants, they have lost a mentor and a source of inspiration.
However, although departed she said, President Geingob’s presence is still being felt today as much as it was when he was crafting the architecture of the Nation’s Governance.
“This enabled the country to achieve successes that we have and when he stewarded our country through the storms of the different emergencies that the PM. tested our resilience in the recent past,” she said.
Additionally, the premiere noted that Geingob has left an indelible mark on the landscape of not only the country but the continent and the world over.
Thereby stating that although he has physically departed this world, his legacy shall continue, because Namibians are the primary benefactors of his selfless sacrifices, and they should feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for his service.
She said the independence that Geingob helped bring about and the solid governance architecture that he helped build, both as chairperson of the Constituent Assembly and as the first Prime Minister are part of the rich inheritance that he leaves behind.
His unifying character and his enduring spirit will continue to inspire many.
The PM pointed out that the nation has lost a man who touched many hearts, who was a caring leader who dedicated his life to serving and uplifting others and an efficient administrator who prepared others to serve this nation diligently.
In honour of his memory, the PM called on all public servants to continue to strive for the unity of the people and uphold the spirit of Ubuntu, aim for excellence, remain unyielding in national endeavours and give the best to the country.
She is asked for a commitment from everyone to continue serving based on the principles and values inspired by him.
