In honour of Dr Hage G Geingob

Fellow Namibians and mourners.To Dr Geingob’s entire beloved family and Madam Monica Geingos, we are here to mourn and remember the precious moments we shared with a distinguished freedom fighter, an icon of the Namibian liberation struggle.A man who, to all of us, embodied and was committed to so many good aspirations, values and norms for our nation. Hage was unquestionably a public servant with excellent skills in public administration. What a gift he was to our nation.Hage’s legacy of constitutional democracy, peace, unity and reconciliation – demonstrated through action through the constitutional and statutory systems, institutions and processes he helped establish – is evident from our constitutional preamble (which he crafted), among others, to the effect that our nation, having emerged victorious in its struggle against colonialism, racism and apartheid, must strengthen its resolve not only to cherish but also to protect the gains of our long struggle for independence.This could never have been achieved had president Geingob – and of course, others – not created a constitutional framework conducive for a country that, in the past, in monumental proportions, suffered the pernicious effects of apartheid – to grow and develop in a political atmosphere of peace and unity.We have to credit, in some great measure, all this to Hage. We must. Even perhaps when it is too late to do so.Hage, as our chief constitutional architect, speaks and will continue speaking past this mourning period – through our constitution – that we as a nation should have a desire and determination to promote amongst all of us the dignity, unity and integrity of the Namibian nation internally and in its relations and associations with the outside world.Hage, as our chief constitutional architect, ensured that there is a specific and obligatory duty on us to achieve and maintain national reconciliation and, at all points, to foster peace, unity and common loyalty to a single state.A united Namibian HouseHe also hated tribalism. In fact, he was tribally neutral.He hated and abhorred those who engaged in and actually traded in &#039;tribal arrogance&#039; and &#039;dominance&#039;, just as he hated those who used &#039;tribal victimisation&#039; for cheap political theatrics.He wanted a nation in which its sons and daughters relate to one another without tribal impediments or consideration – for the unity of purpose and harmonious co-existence. He said this until a few days before his departure.Those who know Hage know that he could never have failed to ensure that our constitution reminds members of the executive to remain vigilant so as to ensure that the scourges of apartheid, tribalism and colonialism do not again manifest themselves in any form in our free and independent Namibia.Dear mourners, how can one adequately account for all the good deeds, accomplishments and work of this icon?Namibians across the political spectrum believe, universally, that this was a man of impeccable stature and a statesman of unmatched political standing. Yes – the leader – with a great measure of sensitivity and humility when handling topical and contentious matters of the state.Simply put, how can one avoid doing an injustice to Dr Geingob when relating and narrating his political journey over the last 60 years with one primary aim: to achieve independence and constitutional democracy in Namibia and to build a united and prosperous Namibian House?Simply put, how can one relate, on this difficult occasion, to the challenges Dr Hage went through (without wavering) in ensuring that the institutions and policies of apartheid are dismantled in a reasonably short period of time from the date of independence?Legislative empowermentFellow mourners, Geingob is not &#039;a man&#039; but &#039;the man&#039; who drove a historical and aggressive legislative agenda in our country.This legislative agenda brought massive and yet beneficial socio-economic changes to our country. This should also now be accepted – by all of us. By everyone – I dare repeat.To prevent lawlessness, anarchy and a crisis related to the rule of law, Dr Geingob ensured, at the time of independence, the temporary preservation of laws that were in force immediately before independence. This preservation came with the qualification that such laws would remain in force until repealed or amended by an Act of Parliament or until declared unconstitutional by a competent court. Hundreds of these bad laws have since been removed from our statute books, a cause championed by Geingob during his time as both prime minister and president.Examples:At independence, women were treated like property due to the discredited concept of &#039;marital power,&#039; which granted husbands authority over their wives (which was addressed by the enactment of the Married Persons Equality Act). Children born out of wedlock were denied certain benefits, including inheritance from their fathers, and discrimination existed in the enforcement of criminal law, such as in cases of rape. Various laws excluded the majority of the population, especially black people, from certain benefits. Dr Geingob drove uncompromising reform in this respect.The results are evident for all to see.A powerful legacyBy the time Dr Geingob completed his first term as prime minister in 2002, hundreds of constitution-aligned pieces of legislation for the benefit of the Namibian people had been put into force. This area of achievement by Dr Geingob is usually ignored and underrated. To me, it is one of his biggest achievements in our quest as a nation to dismantle the shameful legacy of apartheid and colonialism in our country.It is for that reason that we must celebrate the life of a man who brought our nation very close to the desired aspirations and, in fact, closer to the status of an admired and respected constitutional democracy amongst nations in the world.Geingob leaves behind a prepared nation.The nation is on course to achieve prosperity for all. Geingob crafted a dynamic constitution – a living one—that not only sets out the historical bygones of yesteryear but is also a supreme law guiding the nation in all aspects of our lives.As TaTe Mbumba, assisted by Meme Netumbo and others, leads us forward, we pleasantly see in them Hage, and we are confident that his legacy will guide them in safely steering the Namibian ship.May the soul of Commander in Chief Dr. Hage Geingob rest in power.

In honour of Dr Hage G Geingob

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-10

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In honour of Dr Hage G Geingob

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-10

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