Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Staff Reporter
Published on 2024-02-23 11:18:26
Hage Geingob was a prominent political figure in Namibia, serving as the third president of the Republic of Namibia. He was elected to the position in 2015 following the sixth national democratic elections, with an overwhelming majority of 87%. He was re-elected for a second term in 2019, demonstrating his popularity and leadership capabilities.
Aside from his role as president, Geingob was also elected as the third president of the ruling party, Swapo, in 2017 and was re-elected as president of Swapo at the seventh ordinary congress of the party in 2022. His leadership during his tenure was characterized by facing various challenges, including an economic downturn, severe droughts, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Born in Grootfontein in 1941, Geingob’s political journey began during his schooling years. He demonstrated early activism by leading a strike against unfair treatment of students and later took part in Swapo activities, officially joining the party in 1962. This led to his exile in Botswana, Léopoldville (Kinshasa), and eventually the United States, where he continued his studies and played a key role in representing Swapo at the United Nations.
Geingob’s contributions to the Namibian independence movement were significant, as he was a member of the UN Namibian team as a political affairs officer and later the director at the UN Institute for Namibia from 1975 to 1989. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of the institute and the training of future civil service cadres for an independent Namibia.
After the successful UN-supervised elections in 1989, Geingob was elected to be the chairman of the Constituent Assembly, responsible for drafting the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia. He went on to serve as the first prime minister of Namibia at independence in 1990, ushering in a new era of inclusive public service and governance.
Geingob’s political career continued as he held various positions within Swapo, including vice president and trade and industry minister. He was also actively involved in championing initiatives such as the Harambee Prosperity Plan I and II, which aimed to strengthen Namibia’s governance architecture and accelerate development and prosperity for the country.
As a head of state, Geingob pushed for the recognition of green hydrogen as a strategic vector for Africa’s green industrialization and advocated for the creation of the Welwitschia Sovereign Wealth Fund for Namibia. His dedication to governance, accountability, and the prosperity of Namibians was evident throughout his leadership.
Tragically, President Geingob was diagnosed with cancer in January 2024 and passed away on February 4, 2024. He is survived by his wife Monica Geingos, eight children, three grandchildren, two siblings, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Throughout his lifetime, Geingob received numerous international awards and recognition for his exceptional leadership, including the Order of José Martà award from the government of the Republic of Cuba. His legacy as a pivotal figure in Namibian politics and a champion for democracy and good governance will be remembered for generations to come.
In conclusion, Hage Geingob’s contributions to Namibia’s independence and his leadership as the country’s third president and third president of the ruling party, Swapo, have left a lasting impact on the nation’s history. His dedication to transformative governance and inclusive policies has shaped the trajectory of Namibia’s development and set a standard for future leaders to emulate.
Read the original article on The Namibian
