Allexer Namundjembo
Former First Lady Monica Geingos has called on the nation to honour her husband, the late President Hage Geingob, by sharing the new banknote with others.
She made these remarks during the launch of the N$60 commemorative banknote in honour of Geingob by the Bank of Namibia on Wednesday.
“Geingob didn’t have the habit of keeping money. He always gave money to people. If you want to honour Geingob, give the note to as many people as possible,’’ Geingos said.
She explained Geingob’s dedication to the country, noting the sacrifices he made for the nation.
“He spent his whole life building the future of the country. Even his last words were about building the country. He spent his time incredibly well,” Geingos said.
The N$60 banknotes will be in circulation from 17 March.
BoN governor Johannes !Gawaxab explained that the period between the launch and circulation is to provide an opportunity to undertake a comprehensive public awareness campaign before its official issuance.
“It will be done this way to ensure every Namibian understands its features and security elements. It is a one-off release, so keep it so you have it for your future generations,’’ !Gawaxab said.
He explained that 60 symbolises the years of service that Geingob had dedicated to the country.
“This special note not only celebrates a currency but also serves as a tribute to a piece of history,” !Gawaxab said.
Geingob passed away on 4 February 2024 while in office at the age of 82.
The polymer banknote features a portrait of Geingob in a transparent window and another of him holding a trophy.
Advanced security features include coloured intaglio print, Argentum silver ink, and gold accents, which become visible when tilted while the Independence Memorial Museum is showcased in a secondary transparent window, reinforcing national pride and resilience.
The banknote also features pictures of green hydrogen, solar panels, wind turbines, and the wording, ‘This beautiful house we call Namibia.’
!Gawaxab added that the new note will co-circulate with all other banknotes, further embedding its significance into the nation’s daily transactions.
The other banknotes are N$10, N$20, N$30, N$50, N$100 and N$200.
President Nangolo Mbumba said that the commemorative banknote cements Geingob’s vision, which was not only for economic recovery and growth but also for shared economic prosperity for all the Namibian citizens, in the spirit of his famous motto that “No one should feel left out from the Namibian House.”
“Geingob’s leadership prioritised championing the diversification of our economy through groundbreaking initiatives in renewable energy, trade, and industrialisation, among others,” Mbumba added.
