Africa-Press – Botswana. In true camaraderie, Africa-America Institute (AAI) on Tuesday paid tribute to late Namibian liberation stalwart and President Dr Hage Geingob during the organisation’s 40th Awards Gala dinner.
The event took place on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States. President Geingob died on February 4 this year aged 82.
Paying homage to his mentor, friend, and fellow statesman, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, who described the late president as a larger than life character and forthright person, also extended his message of solidarity to former First Lady Ms Monica Geingos, current President of Namibia Dr Nangolo Mbumba, and the people of Namibia.
“We can never speak enough about this giant of a man with whom I shared a profound friendship. What better way to remember and cherish the moment? Dr Geingob was part of us,” he said, recounting the many indelible moments the two leaders shared.
Dr Masisi told the packed hall that Dr Geingob’s bond with Botswana dated as far back as the days of political struggle. Dr Geingob and his comrades found refuge in Botswana, escaping German atrocities in their country.
He said the shared values and long, peaceful coexistence of the people of Namibia and Botswana paved way for the seamless use of national identities to cross the border into the two countries.
Dr Masisi said the late leader was the epitome of what a gift to humanity ought to look like. Like a good painter, he held the brush to the canvas.
President Nangolo Mbumba echoed sentiments of healthy relations between Botswana and Namibia.
He said Dr Geingob, an alumnus of the Africa-America Institute, left behind an extraordinary legacy that the people of Namibia were proud of.
“The Namibian people are proud of an exceptional leader whose future you have ignited,” he said, adding that the theme of the gala dinner: Bridging Cultures and Igniting Futures, resonated well with the sterling job done by the institute in shaping solid leaders in the mould of Dr Geingob and many other trailblazers.
Ms Geingos attested to the bosom brotherhood that existed between President Masisi and her late husband. She thanked President Masisi and the people of Botswana for supporting her and the people of Namibia when the chips were down.
She described her late husband as a strong-willed individual who cherished education and what it could do to transform lives.
“The fear of poverty mentally forced him to leave the country and become a refugee in Botswana,” she said, adding that President Geingob was a thoughtful person who always wanted to make a difference in the lives of fellow people.
Also, she divulged that the late leader loved his family dearly and was transparent every step of the way.
“To him, transparency and accountability equalled trust,” she said, adding that even in death Dr Geingob was a victor.
For his part, President Kofi Appenteng of AAI said President Geingob’s passing was a profound loss to Namibia and the entire continent of Africa.
“We are privileged to honour his memory and celebrate his enduring impact across Africa and its worldwide diaspora alongside many African leaders, current and past,” he said.
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