Geingob was present in all aspects of Namibian life

President Nangolo Mbumba at the first anniversary of former president Hage Geingob’s death in Windhoek on 4 February 2025

Today’s date will remain forever engraved as a day of sadness in the memory of Namibians. It is the day on which our nation

unexpectedly lost a sitting head of state, our beloved Dr. Hage Gottfried Geingob. There is nothing, and I repeat, there is nothing that would have prepared the people of the Land of the Brave for that overwhelming loss, which robbed the nation of a dedicated leader who had so much passion and love for Namibians.

President Geingob touched many lives with his kindness, his generosity, his commitment to inclusivity and his hard work for the prosperity of the Namibian House.

Today, a year later after the passing of president Geingob, we are gathered here in this solemn ceremony of remembrance in order

to pay homage to a leader whose legacy is rich.

Without doubt, it is a legacy that shall not be forgotten by many, here in Namibia, in Africa and across the globe. How can we forget a leader who served humanity with everything in his fibre? We shall never forget the many things president Geingob did towards creating a better Namibian House in which no one should feel left out, as he used to say.

On this day of remembrance, we are summoned to reflect on the journey we have travelled together as Namibians since that fateful day when death created the sudden absence of a leader who was present in every aspect of Namibian life. 

President Geingob was present at a sport field, watching soccer or rugby; at a music show, celebrating the arts; at a beauty pageant and at every other event that sought to advance the beauty, the welfare and the unity of the Namibian people. 

Therefore, as we evoke both the sad and happy memories of our interactions with president Geingob on the first anniversary, together with his dear wife, madame Geingos, the children and the entire Geingob family, we are also reminded about his

noble legacy.

We see the legacy of president Geingob through the pivotal role he played in building a public service that is inclusive and geared

toward serving the interests of all Namibians.

We also recall his commitment to strengthening a governance architecture that will withstand the test of time and provide public goods to all, specifically the most vulnerable sectors of our population.

The year that has passed has been challenging for the Namibian people. As the person who was called on to fill the big void left by president Geingob, I owe you, the people of Namibia a huge debt of gratitude for the manner in which you have collectively mourned the passing of our third president.

Since president Geingob’s passing we went through incidents such as the severe drought and conclusion of the presidential and National Assembly elections in November 2024.

Throughout all these, the people of Namibia remained peaceful, calm and united; true to the motto of ‘One Namibia, One Nation’.

As president Geingob would have wished, the people of our land remained respectful of the processes, systems and institutions, which we have consolidated since independence.

Martin Gray, the Polish writer and Holocaust survivor reminds us that to be loyal to those who have passed away is not to cover ourselves in sadness and in pain. On the contrary, Gray says that to be loyal to those who have passed away is to try and live how they would have lived with us and to transmit their voice and their message to others.

I am hopeful and confident that the message of unity, inclusivity and shared prosperity of our Namibian House which president Geingob transmitted at all times will be emulated by many of us and will continue to resonate throughout the ages as we put in the hard work of building a better Namibia. 

Allow me to paraphrase the former president of Guinea-Bissau, who once said death is welcome on one condition only, and that condition is that those who are left behind will continue to live. 

I urge the Namibian people to rise from the grief and to continue building a better country. I am also hopeful and confident that this occasion of remembrance is the first brick, upon which current and future generations will add their bricks to build a solid, democratic and prosperous Namibian House, in honour and

celebration of the inspiring legacy of a nation-builder, his excellency Dr Hage Gottfried Geingob.

Long live the memory of president Hage G Geingob!

Long live the Republic of Namibia!

I thank you.