The day ‘democrat, cosmopolitan’ Geingob left us
One-year anniversary brings back sad memories
The absence of two blue ticks on WhatsApp messages to Hage Geingob was the first sign that something was terribly wrong.
A year after his shocking passing, many Namibians are still grappling with the reality that former president Hage Geingob is gone forever.
On this day a year ago, a sombre cloud hovered over the nation as, in the early hours of 4 February, then vice-president Nangolo Mbumba announced that Geingob, who was entering his final year in office as head of state, had passed away. He was 82.
The tall, charismatic Swapo stalwart died in a Windhoek hospital shortly after returning from a medical trip to the United States.
Known for his firm stance against corruption, his fight against tribalism and his signature development blueprint – the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP) – Geingob’s passing plunged the nation into mourning and into uncharted waters.
However, within hours of his death, constitutional processes ensured a seamless transition of power, with Mbumba assuming the role of head of state.
International relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Swapo’s candidate to replace Geingob as head of state in March 2025, was subsequently appointed vice-president of Namibia.
Gone, but not forgotten
Political figures who spoke to Namibian Sun this week recalled the sad news reaching them and reflected on Geingob’s legacy.
Justice minister Yvonne Dausab yesterday said many Namibians “are still struggling to come to terms with this immense loss,” adding that “he is gone, but will never be forgotten.”
Dausab said his death "robbed us of a human being who cared for his people. A man who hated tribalism. Who understood unity in diversity.”
She praised Geingob as a “change-maker’ who practiced a consultative leadership style.
“He believed in women and young people, and he was a brilliant talent scout. He often gave people the benefit of the doubt and trusted his judgement. Comrade Hage was a people's president. He cared for the elderly and other vulnerable groups."
She added that the former president dreamed about economic prosperity for all Namibians.
“He believed that prosperity must be shared and expressed governance shortcomings without fear or favour. His legacy must continue to inspire us as a country.”
Vivid legacy
Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) secretary Ephraim Nekongo vividly remembers driving from Windhoek to the north when he sensed something was wrong.
“The night before his death, I sent him a message. I was driving from Windhoek to the north, constantly checking my phone to see if the message would receive a blue tick. But it never did,” he said.
Nekongo praised Geingob for his unwavering commitment to inclusivity.
“One lesson I have learned from our former president is that he stood for inclusivity. He had many adversaries during his rise to the presidency, but he incorporated them all. That is why we see unity in the party and government today,” he said.
“As we approach March, which would have marked the end of his term, we can proudly say that he delivered on what he promised the people.”
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani recalled being informed the night before Geingob’s passing that the former president was not doing well. Hours later, the confirmation of his death arrived.
“I was aware of the news quite early, which was shocking because we had spoken before he went to America. I was hopeful he would recover, so learning that he had returned earlier was devastating,” he said.
“I remained deeply affected for a long time. Hage was a sophisticated democrat, a cosmopolitan figure, very tough as a politician – sometimes arrogant too – but a man we came to appreciate. He was an unparalleled politician, a statesman of note.”
Tribalism and elections
Venaani lamented the resurgence of tribal politics in Namibia, citing voting patterns in the November 2024 presidential and National Assembly elections. He argued that Geingob’s fight against tribalism has lost momentum since his passing.
“We have veered away from what Hage attempted to achieve. If you look at the last election, you will see that Namibia has drifted towards tribal politics,” Venaani said.
“People are being elected based on their tribe rather than their skills and competence. The last election had deep hallmarks of tribalism. Hage’s greatest strength was his fight against this.”
Focus on inclusivity
Youth leader Willem Amutenya reflected on Geingob’s push for inclusivity.
“The news of Dr Hage Geingob’s untimely death was shocking and devastating. It took time to accept that our president – who we heard from almost daily through the media – was gone,” Amutenya said.
“The peaceful and smooth transition of power after his passing reassured many of us, allowing the nation to mourn and pay tribute,” he added.
Amutenya credited Geingob’s principle of inclusivity for the growing representation of young people in politics.
“His principle of inclusivity is part of his legacy. Today, many young people are making it to parliament. Within Swapo, the electoral college produced an inclusive list of candidates for parliament, a clear manifestation of Hage’s principle of inclusivity. We must continue to cultivate this principle at all levels of leadership,” he said.
Vulnerable Namibians
Action for Democratic Movement (ADM) leader Vinsent Kanyetu emphasised the need to continue Geingob’s ethos of service, particularly to those in need.
“It is difficult now that we are without his leadership. One will remember Geingob as a transparent leader, a unifier, a hard worker, a doer, a fast implementer,” Kanyetu said.
“Namibia must be cautious. Now that we no longer have Geingob, we must ensure that those who have must provide for those in need,” he urged.
Former deputy minister of works, Sankwasa James Sankwasa, who served in the Geingob administration between 2015 and 2020, said: “The news of his passing came as a great shock to me. It took about a week for me to internalise it. But I had to eventually accept that graves are full of indispensable people. I accepted the reality that in this world, we are pilgrims.
Sankwasa praised the smooth transfer of power following Geingob’s passing.
“In [many] African countries, such a great vacancy would have thrown the country into an unimaginable political and administrative instability,” he pointed out, adding that Geingob’s mantra of ‘no one should feel left out’ should be championed in his absence to achieve greater national cohesion.
On this day a year ago, a sombre cloud hovered over the nation as, in the early hours of 4 February, then vice-president Nangolo Mbumba announced that Geingob, who was entering his final year in office as head of state, had passed away. He was 82.
The tall, charismatic Swapo stalwart died in a Windhoek hospital shortly after returning from a medical trip to the United States.
Known for his firm stance against corruption, his fight against tribalism and his signature development blueprint – the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP) – Geingob’s passing plunged the nation into mourning and into uncharted waters.
However, within hours of his death, constitutional processes ensured a seamless transition of power, with Mbumba assuming the role of head of state.
International relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Swapo’s candidate to replace Geingob as head of state in March 2025, was subsequently appointed vice-president of Namibia.
Gone, but not forgotten
Political figures who spoke to Namibian Sun this week recalled the sad news reaching them and reflected on Geingob’s legacy.
Justice minister Yvonne Dausab yesterday said many Namibians “are still struggling to come to terms with this immense loss,” adding that “he is gone, but will never be forgotten.”
Dausab said his death "robbed us of a human being who cared for his people. A man who hated tribalism. Who understood unity in diversity.”
She praised Geingob as a “change-maker’ who practiced a consultative leadership style.
“He believed in women and young people, and he was a brilliant talent scout. He often gave people the benefit of the doubt and trusted his judgement. Comrade Hage was a people's president. He cared for the elderly and other vulnerable groups."
She added that the former president dreamed about economic prosperity for all Namibians.
“He believed that prosperity must be shared and expressed governance shortcomings without fear or favour. His legacy must continue to inspire us as a country.”
Vivid legacy
Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) secretary Ephraim Nekongo vividly remembers driving from Windhoek to the north when he sensed something was wrong.
“The night before his death, I sent him a message. I was driving from Windhoek to the north, constantly checking my phone to see if the message would receive a blue tick. But it never did,” he said.
Nekongo praised Geingob for his unwavering commitment to inclusivity.
“One lesson I have learned from our former president is that he stood for inclusivity. He had many adversaries during his rise to the presidency, but he incorporated them all. That is why we see unity in the party and government today,” he said.
“As we approach March, which would have marked the end of his term, we can proudly say that he delivered on what he promised the people.”
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani recalled being informed the night before Geingob’s passing that the former president was not doing well. Hours later, the confirmation of his death arrived.
“I was aware of the news quite early, which was shocking because we had spoken before he went to America. I was hopeful he would recover, so learning that he had returned earlier was devastating,” he said.
“I remained deeply affected for a long time. Hage was a sophisticated democrat, a cosmopolitan figure, very tough as a politician – sometimes arrogant too – but a man we came to appreciate. He was an unparalleled politician, a statesman of note.”
Tribalism and elections
Venaani lamented the resurgence of tribal politics in Namibia, citing voting patterns in the November 2024 presidential and National Assembly elections. He argued that Geingob’s fight against tribalism has lost momentum since his passing.
“We have veered away from what Hage attempted to achieve. If you look at the last election, you will see that Namibia has drifted towards tribal politics,” Venaani said.
“People are being elected based on their tribe rather than their skills and competence. The last election had deep hallmarks of tribalism. Hage’s greatest strength was his fight against this.”
Focus on inclusivity
Youth leader Willem Amutenya reflected on Geingob’s push for inclusivity.
“The news of Dr Hage Geingob’s untimely death was shocking and devastating. It took time to accept that our president – who we heard from almost daily through the media – was gone,” Amutenya said.
“The peaceful and smooth transition of power after his passing reassured many of us, allowing the nation to mourn and pay tribute,” he added.
Amutenya credited Geingob’s principle of inclusivity for the growing representation of young people in politics.
“His principle of inclusivity is part of his legacy. Today, many young people are making it to parliament. Within Swapo, the electoral college produced an inclusive list of candidates for parliament, a clear manifestation of Hage’s principle of inclusivity. We must continue to cultivate this principle at all levels of leadership,” he said.
Vulnerable Namibians
Action for Democratic Movement (ADM) leader Vinsent Kanyetu emphasised the need to continue Geingob’s ethos of service, particularly to those in need.
“It is difficult now that we are without his leadership. One will remember Geingob as a transparent leader, a unifier, a hard worker, a doer, a fast implementer,” Kanyetu said.
“Namibia must be cautious. Now that we no longer have Geingob, we must ensure that those who have must provide for those in need,” he urged.
Former deputy minister of works, Sankwasa James Sankwasa, who served in the Geingob administration between 2015 and 2020, said: “The news of his passing came as a great shock to me. It took about a week for me to internalise it. But I had to eventually accept that graves are full of indispensable people. I accepted the reality that in this world, we are pilgrims.
Sankwasa praised the smooth transfer of power following Geingob’s passing.
“In [many] African countries, such a great vacancy would have thrown the country into an unimaginable political and administrative instability,” he pointed out, adding that Geingob’s mantra of ‘no one should feel left out’ should be championed in his absence to achieve greater national cohesion.
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