Zambian soldiers jet in to teach NDF how to bury a president

Members of the Zambian army – who themselves had to bury two of their heads of state - are in the country to help the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) with preparations for the burial of late president Hage Geingob this weekend.

Geingob’s death on 4 February is the first by a sitting Namibian head of state, and the country’s military – which is mandated to conduct the burial - is said to be unsure of how everything is to be handled.

In 2008, Zambian president Levy Mwanawasa died while serving his second term. In 2014, another Zambian president, Michael Sata, died.

Geingob’s burial is slated for this Sunday at Heroes’ Acre, and NDF is said to be hard at work to ensure his ascendance into eternity goes smoothly.

Defence minister Frans Kapofi confirmed that they reached out to Zambia for assistance.

“The guys are here, working with our officers. We asked them to come and render assistance where it may be needed, and so far they are impressed by our own capacity,” he told Namibian Sun.

“They have lost two of their heads of state and we thought they could help us prepare to bury our own in a manner befitting a head of state.”

Kapofi said the Zambians were not invited to do NDF’s work, but rather to observe and advise where necessary.

“We’re not too far behind in terms of our own capabilities to do the job,” he added.

Kapofi dismissed assertions that there was a tussle among funeral undertakers for a tender to bury Geingob - amid allegations that military company August 26 has handed the job to Nambob.

“All state funerals are the job of the soldiers. They must carry the coffin on a gun carriage, and perform the gun salute. Maybe an undertaker is needed to lower the coffin, but even this is not confirmed as of now,” he said.