Damara elders want a night with Geingob

The Damara King's Council has requested to be allowed to perform traditional farewell rituals for late president Hage Geingob, including spending a night with his remains.

However, clarity on this was still pending on the part of government last week, council secretary-general Abner Xoagub said.

According to tribal member and activist Rosa Namises, the rituals are crucially important, especially for older members of the Damara people. Specifically, the ||Gōa ǂNobos ritual that bids farewell to the deceased before sunrise on the day of the funeral is close to the hearts of many members from which Geingob hails.

Namises said they hope to at least have the opportunity to spend the evening with the deceased’s remains after the official ceremonies at Parliament Gardens.

"It would be very sad if we could not say goodbye like this, and for the older people, it is very important to also tell our ancestors what happened to ask them to welcome him," she explained.

National period of mourning

Geingob’s body will lie in state in Windhoek and will be laid to rest on Sunday, 25 February, at Windhoek's Heroes’ Acre.

However, his remains will not be transported to the regions to give residents the chance to pay their last respects before he is buried.

Notice 6 of 2024, signed by President Nangolo Mbumba, was published in the Government Gazette on 16 February. Consequently, the honour of national hero was awarded to Namibia's third president, former prime minister and chairman of the Constituent Assembly.

A national period of mourning honouring Geingob's life was instituted nationwide from 5 February to 25 February.

All national flags will remain at half-mast until Sunday, and all Geingob's photos must be adorned with a black ribbon tied to the left side of the photo.

Coming together

On Friday, information minister Emma Theofelus said the preparatory committee, led by Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, in consultation with the Geingob family, will host memorial services on Monday and Tuesday night at the family's home, Casa Rosalia.

A memorial service will be held at the Independence Arena in Katutura on Wednesday.

The services will take place from 18:00 to 20:00 each night.

Theofelus said mourning services in the regions will continue as compiled by the relevant regional governors in consultation with central government.

"Late president Hage G. Geingob's remains will remain in Windhoek. The commemorations and other events in Windhoek and all over the country continued without the late president's remains. We therefore plead with all citizens and institutions nationwide to continue with their commemoration of the late president, even in the absence of his remains."

Presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari confirmed that the late president's remains will lie in state at Parliament Gardens.

Theofelus also confirmed and said: "Yes, the general public will have a chance to view the body of our beloved late President Hage G. Geingob during the official memorial service [in the morning] at the Independence Stadium, and where he will be in state [in the afternoon] on 24 February."

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