Nation pays tribute: N$7m for Nujoma’s memorials

The government will spend about N$7 million on memorial services in 14 regions in honour of late founding president Sam Nujoma.

This is according to a government document dated 15 February, signed by secretary to Cabinet George Simataa. The document also says each region has been allocated N$500 000.

The founding president’s body will be flown to seven regions around the country, before a final procession in the capital, Windhoek, on 27 February. A source from the family of late president Hage Geingob – who died in February 2024 – has allegedly questioned why Geingob’s body was not flown to other regions.

Former first lady Monica Geingos, however, denies this, saying Geingob’s family do not want to be involved in any divisiveness during Nujoma’s mourning period.

Political analyst Erika Thomas says Nujoma and Geingob cannot be compared.

“Nujoma is a founding president, which has a symbolic and significant history to it,” she says.

Rally for Democracy and Progress parliamentarian Kennedy Shekupakela agrees that the founding president cannot be compared to Geingob.

“I want to be very clear on this tricky situation the Geingob family finds themselves in. To me … the late father of the nation cannot be compared to anyone, and it’s very unfortunate such comparisons have occurred,” he says.

Thomas believes that Nujoma’s body being flown to regions symbolises national unity and remembrance, and gives Namibians a chance to pay their final respects to a man who played such a crucial role in the country’s history.

She adds that the government may have had different protocols for the founding president and his successors, and that different cultural norms and the wishes of family may also play a role.

“The other thing is also a political decision of reinforcing national unity, which he was actually known for because of his national reconciliation policy … it could also be a way of the ruling party government to honour his legacy,” she says.

Thomas also suggests that Nujoma’s body may be flown to different regions due to fewer logistical constraints, or lessons learned during Geingob’s memorial.

The founding president’s body will be flown to the Omusati, Oshana, Erongo, Kavango East, Zambezi, Otjozondjupa and //­Kharas regions, before returning to the capital city on 27 February. A memorial service will be held at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium the following day, and Nujoma’s body will be buried at Heroes’ Acre on 1 March.