Candles to be lit at trade ministry as business sector mourns

AS messages of condolence continue pouring in from the business sector following the death of president Hage Geingob in Windhoek on Sunday, the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade will have a candle-lighting ceremony in his honour at 09h00 today.

A statement issued by ministry spokesperson Anna Salkeus said trade minister Lucia Iipumbu, management and staff members will honour the memory of the late president at the ministry’s head office.

Geingob served as minister of trade and industry between 2008 and 2012, where he played a pivotal role in expanding Namibia’s trade and industrialisation agenda, the statement read.

Meanwhile, the board and staff members of the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) yesterday extended their condolences to former first lady Monica Geingos, the Geingob family friends, and the entire nation.

In a statement, NSX chief information officer Johene Saal said: “Our hearts go out to you during this difficult time of mourning for our dearly departed president. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Our prayers are with you.”

Also extending condolences was energy and natural resources lawyer Shakwa Nyambe, the managing partner of SNC Incorporated, who said Geingob exemplified the true spirit of leadership and service.

“Under his leadership, Namibia has been transformed into a global energy hotspot, attracting major investments in its energy sector, which led to significant oil and gas discoveries, the advancement of green hydrogen projects and an increase in mining investments.

“He focused greatly on accelerating the development of energy projects in the country, proclaiming that opportunities in the energy sector cannot be ignored,” said Nyambe, adding that Geingob’s progressive policies, cooperation with neighbouring countries and international partners allowed Namibia to leverage its resources and expertise to accelerate progress for a more resilient energy landscape.

“His legacy will live on in our hearts and in the fabric of our nation,” Nyambe said.

Lydia Horn, the director of the Namibia Institute of Seeds, a local seed company dedicated to preserving traditional food seeds to protect them against extinction, said Geingob will be missed as a farmer and she hoped the government would continue his policies to uplift indigenous farmers.

She said as the president was a member of her Inner City Lutheran church congregation, she used to see him there and will miss his presence.

“He was a great singer and his voice could be heard loudly when he was in the mix.

“My heartfelt condolences go to his wife, the children, family and the entire nation. May his soul rest in peace,” Horn said.