Namibia’s New President Inaugurated, Hours after Geingob’s Death
Namibia has a new President in the shape of Nangolo Mbu-Mba just hours after, as vice-president, he had announced the death of his predecessor.
He has since been sworn in as Mr. Geingob’s replacement and will serve in the role until elections due later this year.
Late President Hage Geingob, 82, died early on Sunday while receiving medical treatment at a hospital in the capital, Windhoek.
A veteran of the country’s independence struggle, Mr. Geingob had been diagnosed with cancer and revealed the details to the public last month.
His office said the exact cause of his death was not given, but last month he underwent “a two-day novel treatment for cancerous cells” in the US before flying back home on 31 January.
Leaders from around the world have been sending condolence messages with many talking about Mr. Geingob’s efforts to ensure his country’s freedom.
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The exact cause of his death was not given but last month he underwent a two-day novel treatment for cancerous cells in the US before flying back home on 31 January, his office had said.
On Namibian radio, people have been sharing memories of someone they described as a visionary as well as a jovial man, who was able to share a joke.
Leaders from around the world have been sending condolence messages with many talking about Mr Geingob’s efforts to ensure his country’s freedom.
Among them has been Cyril Ramaphosa, president of neighboring South Africa, who described him as a towering veteran of Namibia’s liberation from colonialism and apartheid.
Mr Geingob, a tall man with a deep, gravelly voice and a commanding presence was a long-serving member of the Swapo party.
It led the movement against apartheid South Africa, which had effectively annexed the country, then known as South West Africa, and introduced its system of legalized racism that excluded black people from political and economic power.
Mr Geingob lived in exile for 27 years, spending time in Botswana, the US, and the UK, where he studied for a PhD in politics.
He came back to Namibia in 1989, a year before the country gained independence.
