Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Shelleygan Petersen
Published on 2024-02-24 18:50:24
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema recently announced that two roads in Zambia will be renamed in honor of former presidents Hage Geingob and Sam Nujoma. This decision was made during Geingob’s memorial service in Windhoek, where Hichilema expressed his country’s shared grief with Namibia over Geingob’s passing.
In his speech, Hichilema recalled the memories shared with President Geingob and praised his leadership in the region. He mentioned that Zambians had suggested renaming a significant road in honor of Geingob, recognizing his lasting impact on the country. Additionally, another road will be renamed after Namibia’s founding president, Sam Nujoma, in acknowledgment of his influential leadership.
Hichilema personally acknowledged the impact of Sam Nujoma’s leadership, highlighting how he benefited from the programs initiated by Nujoma. He recalled attending the Southern African Development Community troika, where Nujoma provided guidance and leadership throughout his career. Hichilema praised Nujoma’s leadership and statesmanship, emphasizing his remarkable contributions to the University of Zambia’s academic community.
Reflecting on his time as an undergraduate student while Geingob was a scholar at the University of Zambia, Hichilema appreciated the significant contributions Geingob made to the academic body of work in Zambia. He credited Geingob with shaping his own educational experience and fostering a culture of academic excellence.
Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Frans Kapofi, expressed gratitude to President Hichilema for honoring Geingob and Nujoma by renaming the roads after them. This gesture symbolizes the deep respect and appreciation that Zambia has for the legacies of these two influential leaders.
In conclusion, Hichilema’s announcement to rename roads in honor of Hage Geingob and Sam Nujoma reflects Zambia’s recognition of their remarkable contributions. By commemorating their legacies in this way, the Zambian government is honoring the values of leadership, statesmanship, and academic excellence that both Geingob and Nujoma epitomized. This gesture also serves as a symbol of unity and friendship between Zambia and Namibia, further strengthening the bonds between the two nations.
Read the original article on The Namibian
