President Hage Geingob passed away on Sunday at the age of 82 while receiving medical attention in Windhoek, making it a somber day for Namibia.
When a nation’s leader passes away, it is a universally felt loss that cuts across political divides.
Vice-President Nangolo Mbumba, who now assumes the presidency said “The Namibian nation has lost a distinguished servant of the people, a liberation struggle icon, the chief architect of our constitution and the pillar of the Namibian house.”
President Geingob’s legacy is intricately connected to Namibia’s fight for liberation. Born in 1941 in a northern Namibian village, he bore witness to the tumultuous era of apartheid South Africa.
Geingob, a trailblazer born into a diverse ethnic background, shattered barriers by becoming the first president of Namibia from a different ethnic group. This marked a departure from the majority Ovambo ethnicity that constitutes over half of the nation’s population.
For numerous citizens, it’s not just the passing of a political figure; it signifies the conclusion of an era and the departure of an individual emblematic of stability and leadership.
Here are what you should know about Namibia’s late President, Hage Geingob:
Activism and exile
Geingob was an anti-apartheid activist from a young age and spent nearly three decades in exile in Botswana and the United States while South Africa ruled the country. He returned to Namibia after independence in 1990.
Political career
Geingob played a crucial role in Namibia’s early years of independence, serving as the country’s first prime minister from 1990 to 2002. After a brief hiatus, he returned to the position of prime minister from 2008 to 2012 and served as the president of the ruling SWAPO Party.
Presidency
He became Namibia’s third president in the 2014 election where he won a huge majority, taking 87% of the vote. However, five years later, his support had decreased, and he won with 56% in the subsequent election. He was re-elected in 2019 and initiated ambitious projects, such as offshore oil and gas discoveries and a green hydrogen initiative.
Health struggles
He survived prostate cancer in 2014, underwent brain surgery in 2013, and had heart valve surgery in South Africa in June 2023. He announced a cancer diagnosis in 2024 and sought treatment in the U.S.
End of presidency
Hage Geingob’s death occurred a few months before the Namibian presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for November 2024. He would not have been eligible to compete in these elections due to completing the maximum allowed two-term limits.
Lifestyle
He is recognized for his passion for football, often attending high-profile games. He was a regular attendee at the Namibia Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) and was involved in musical activities during his youth, including singing in a choir and playing in a band.