– Namibia’s President Hage Geingob’s death at 82
– President Hage Geingob of Namibia passes away at 82.
Namibia’s President Hage Geingob Dies at 82
Namibia’s President Hage Geingob, aged 82, passed away on Sunday, according to a statement from the presidency. The news comes just weeks after he was diagnosed with cancer.
A Life of Leadership and Resilience
Geingob had been at the helm of Namibia, a sparsely populated country in southern Africa, since 2015. He had previously announced his triumph over prostate cancer, which he battled in the year he assumed office.
Born in 1941, Geingob was an influential figure in Namibian politics even before the country gained independence from white minority-ruled South Africa in 1990. He played a crucial role in drafting Namibia’s constitution and served as its first prime minister from independence day until 2002.
In 2007, Geingob became the vice president of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), the ruling party in Namibia. SWAPO has retained power in the country since its independence, despite facing significant challenges. Namibia, a former German colony, is classified as an upper middle-income country but grapples with stark wealth disparities.
Geingob’s dedication to building a fair and just Namibia was evident in his speeches. In 2018, he emphasized the need to break the chains of past injustices and strive for shared prosperity in the nation.
A Vision for Namibia’s Future
Throughout his political career, Geingob held various ministerial positions, including trade and industry minister. He won the presidential election in 2014 with an overwhelming 87% of the vote. However, he narrowly avoided a runoff in a subsequent poll in November 2019, following a government bribery scandal.
The scandal involved allegations of officials granting fishing quotas to Iceland’s largest fishing company, Samherji, in exchange for kickbacks. This led to the resignation of two ministers and ignited public outcry. Geingob acknowledged the need for wealth distribution in Namibia but stressed the complexity of the issue, particularly the historical racial divide that still persists.
Geingob’s commitment to addressing this divide was evident in his participation in international forums. During a virtual session organized by the Horasis organization, he acknowledged the racial issue in Namibia and emphasized the need for a more nuanced approach to wealth redistribution.
A Legacy of Leadership
President Hage Geingob passed away at Lady Pohamba Hospital in Windhoek, where he was receiving treatment from his medical team. The presidency has not disclosed the specific cause of death at this time.
Geingob’s dedication to Namibia’s development and his resilience in the face of challenges make his passing a significant loss for the country. As Namibia mourns the loss of its leader, Vice President Nangolo Mbumba will assume the presidency until the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections later this year.
The nation will remember Geingob for his role in shaping Namibia’s path towards independence and his unwavering commitment to building a fair and prosperous nation for all its citizens.
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1. Namibia’s President Hage Geingob Passes Away at 82
2. Hage Geingob, Namibia’s President, Dies at 82.
