THE Kingdom of Eswatini joins the global community in mourning the passing of Namibia’s beloved President Hage Geingob, who peacefully departed at the age of 82. President Geingob succumbed to cancer in a hospital early Sunday morning, marking the end of an era for Namibia.
‘Today, the Kingdom of Eswatini mourns alongside the people of Namibia as we bid farewell to their esteemed leader, President Hage Geingob. His passing is not just a loss for Namibia, but a profound void in the entire SADC region. As the chairman of the SADC Troika and a dedicated statesman, President Geingob served with unwavering dignity and honour, leaving an indelible mark on our collective history,’ Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo said in a statement on Sunday.
The statement recalls Geingob’s recent working visit to the kingdom, where he met with King Mswati III, and numerous occasions attending SADC Heads of State summits in Namibia. President Geingob exemplified leadership, fostering confidence and trust among Namibian citizens as they approach crucial elections this year.
‘The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini extends its deepest condolences to the people of Namibia. In this hour of sorrow, rest assured that we stand in solidarity with you. President Geingob’s legacy transcends national borders, creating a lasting impact that will be felt for years to come. We acknowledge Namibia’s support during our national elections last year and the successful national dialogue, where SADC, under President Geingob’s leadership, played a pivotal role.
‘As we collectively mourn the loss of a visionary leader, we express gratitude for President Hage Geingob’s contributions to regional unity and progress. May his soul rest in eternal peace,’ the statement said.
In another statement, Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini added: ‘At this hour of tragedy, we pray for the family of President Dr Hage G. Geingob and the entire nation of the Republic and hope that the Almighty God will comfort them during this moment of great loss.’
Geingob had been in charge of the thinly populated and mostly arid southern African country since 2015, the year he announced he had survived prostate cancer.
Vice President Nangolo Mbumba takes the helm in Namibia – a mining hotspot with significant deposits of diamonds and the electric car battery ingredient lithium – until presidential and parliamentary elections at the end of the year.
A presidency post on social media platform X did not give a cause of death, but late last month the presidency said he had travelled to the United States for ‘a two-day novel treatment for cancerous cells,’ after being diagnosed following a regular medical check-up.
Born in 1941, Geingob was a prominent politician since before Namibia achieved independence from white minority-ruled South Africa in 1990.
He chaired the body that drafted Namibia’s constitution, then became its first prime minister at independence on March 21 of that year, a position he retained until 2002.