Geingos family supports ‘fitting tribute’ to Nujoma, dismisses divisive talk

Former first lady Monica Geingos says her family supports all measures designed to ensure a fitting tribute to founding president Sam Nujoma.

Geingos said this yesterday after The Namibian reported that the Geingob family asked why former president Hage Geingob’s body was not transported to the different regions.

She denied that they questioned the process.

Geingos said her family does not want to be involved in any divisive conversations.

“There is no Geingob family concern nor do we want to be involved in any divisive conversations. We support all measures designed to ensure a fitting tribute to our founding president,” Geingos told The Namibian.

Speaking at Nujoma’s memorial service on Friday, Geingos described the late Nujoma as the president of presidents, the elder among elders, and the old man of old men. “I grew up in a household where my father revered him, ensuring that we did the same.

“And as children we attended Swapo pioneers every Saturday, we recited poems in president Nujoma’s honour at Swapo rallies, and we watched forbidden illegal videos of his activism.

In our minds, he was more than a leader, he was a legend, almost a demigod,” she said.

Geingos recalled an incident from the early 90s, when, as a schoolchild, she was stranded at an aunt’s house at Oshakati and unable to travel to Windhoek for an exam the next day.

She said her brother, who was one of the founding president’s bodyguards, had accompanied Nujoma on a visit to the north and offered to assist her by asking Nujoma if she could be added to the passenger list of the presidential plane.

“And before boarding the plane, I was very sternly warned not to disturb the president. No speaking, unless spoken to, no direct eye contact. I promised I would not do any of that.

“But when I stepped on that plane, I could not help but stare at him. Overcome with awe when I had to walk past him, I fell to my knees [before I] walked past him,” she recalled.

Geingos added that instead of reprimanding her, the late president asked why she had almost missed an exam.

“Imagine standing before a man who you’d been taught to revere your entire life, and he is addressing you directly.

“I do not remember exactly what I said, but it must have been quite foolish, because his stern expression softened and he burst into laughter,” Geingos said.

She recalled Nujoma instructing her to stand up and then he lectured her on the importance of education for young people.

“Just consider the weight of receiving a personal lesson on education from a man who had engaged with the most influential figures in modern history,” she said.