‘Born a peasant, died a president’
• Goodbye, people’s president
Namibians bid farewell to late president Hage Geingob over the weekend at a Heroes' Acre packed with people from all walks of life.
Political icon Hage Geingob - whose extraordinary life journey led him from peasantry to the presidency - was buried at a sombre ceremony held at Heroes’ Acre just outside Windhoek on Sunday, ending three weeks of commemorations for the man who played a pivotal role in establishing Namibia’s governance architecture.
There were tears and laughter in equal measure as Namibians came out in numbers, despite the scorching heat, to bid their final farewell to 'The People's President'.
With his widow, Monica Geingos, highlighting during her tribute on Saturday evening that her husband transcended from being born a peasant to becoming the country’s leader, Geingob’s life journey has been lauded by many.
So packed was the burial ceremony that the security officials manning the main entrance had to abandon their body-searching activities and allow mourners to enter without being searched in order to avoid a stampede at the gate.
With the world looking on, Geingob’s remains were interred as his family, national and international leaders and members of the public bid farewell to Namibia’s third president.
His remains were lowered into the ground in a mausoleum reserved for the country’s presidents, while the military fired a 21-gun salute that took place concurrently with the National Anthem being played.
Mourners line the streets
The weekend’s proceedings commenced with Geingob’s flag-draped casket criss-crossing Windhoek on Friday afternoon on a gun carriage, a procession which evoked a sense of loss to the thousands of mourners who lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the emotional - yet historic - moment.
The burial ended a mourning period that lasted almost an entire month, with Namibians filling Parliament Gardens on Friday night and the Independence Stadium the following day to view Geingob’s body.
President Nangolo Mbumba, while delivering his message during the burial proceedings, vowed that Namibia will continue pursuing economic freedom.
“In our governance, we will continue to uphold the constitution of the land as the supreme law. We will strive to be transparent, accountable and inclusive.
“Yes, we will continue to pursue the second struggle for economic freedom of Namibians with the required urgency, efficiency and effectiveness, until shared prosperity and social justice are achieved for the citizens,” Mbumba said.
Time to rest
“Dear Comrade Geingob, you have fought valiantly and consistently without wavering - for your family, for the entire Namibia and the oppressed people throughout this world - until your very last breath.
“It is now time for you to rest. It is now time for us to part. Yes, it is now time for us to let you go. May you no longer be weary and may you no longer be burdened,” Geingob’s successor said.
“Leave the worries of this world and the worries of Namibia to the present and future generations and go in peace. We will take care of your Namibian House and the needs of its citizens,” Mbumba added.
There were tears and laughter in equal measure as Namibians came out in numbers, despite the scorching heat, to bid their final farewell to 'The People's President'.
With his widow, Monica Geingos, highlighting during her tribute on Saturday evening that her husband transcended from being born a peasant to becoming the country’s leader, Geingob’s life journey has been lauded by many.
So packed was the burial ceremony that the security officials manning the main entrance had to abandon their body-searching activities and allow mourners to enter without being searched in order to avoid a stampede at the gate.
With the world looking on, Geingob’s remains were interred as his family, national and international leaders and members of the public bid farewell to Namibia’s third president.
His remains were lowered into the ground in a mausoleum reserved for the country’s presidents, while the military fired a 21-gun salute that took place concurrently with the National Anthem being played.
Mourners line the streets
The weekend’s proceedings commenced with Geingob’s flag-draped casket criss-crossing Windhoek on Friday afternoon on a gun carriage, a procession which evoked a sense of loss to the thousands of mourners who lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the emotional - yet historic - moment.
The burial ended a mourning period that lasted almost an entire month, with Namibians filling Parliament Gardens on Friday night and the Independence Stadium the following day to view Geingob’s body.
President Nangolo Mbumba, while delivering his message during the burial proceedings, vowed that Namibia will continue pursuing economic freedom.
“In our governance, we will continue to uphold the constitution of the land as the supreme law. We will strive to be transparent, accountable and inclusive.
“Yes, we will continue to pursue the second struggle for economic freedom of Namibians with the required urgency, efficiency and effectiveness, until shared prosperity and social justice are achieved for the citizens,” Mbumba said.
Time to rest
“Dear Comrade Geingob, you have fought valiantly and consistently without wavering - for your family, for the entire Namibia and the oppressed people throughout this world - until your very last breath.
“It is now time for you to rest. It is now time for us to part. Yes, it is now time for us to let you go. May you no longer be weary and may you no longer be burdened,” Geingob’s successor said.
“Leave the worries of this world and the worries of Namibia to the present and future generations and go in peace. We will take care of your Namibian House and the needs of its citizens,” Mbumba added.
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