Namibia bids farewell to President Hage Geingob, 82, who passed away in a hospital on a somber Sunday morning, following a recent cancer diagnosis. Leading the arid southern African nation since 2015, Geingob, a survivor of prostate cancer, leaves a legacy marked by both triumphs and challenges.
Vice President Nangolo Mbumba assumes leadership in Namibia, a mining hub boasting substantial diamond deposits and the coveted lithium for electric car batteries. As the nation anticipates upcoming elections, the cause of Geingob's demise remains undisclosed, despite his pursuit of groundbreaking cancer treatment in the United States.
In 2007, Geingob ascended to vice president within the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO), a pivotal role in his journey from agitator for Namibia's independence to its leader. SWAPO has maintained an unchallenged reign since independence, yet Namibia grapples with economic disparities, described by Geingob as a challenge to break the chains of historical injustices.
Geingob's political trajectory involved serving as trade and industry minister before reclaiming the position of prime minister in 2012. Despite winning the 2014 election with 87% support, his leadership faced scrutiny in the aftermath of a government bribery scandal involving fisheries quotas and kickbacks.
Expressing concern over wealth concentration among the white minority, Geingob acknowledged the complexity of addressing historical racial divides in Namibia. His candid remarks came amid debates on policies aimed at redistributing wealth, such as the controversial mandatory stake sale proposal for white-owned businesses, later deemed unworkable by the government.
President Geingob breathed his last at Lady Pohamba Hospital in Windhoek, where he received dedicated medical care from his team. As Namibia reflects on his contributions and challenges, the nation enters a new chapter with Vice President Mbumba at the helm.