Africa-Press – Namibia.
The ‘One Namibia, One Nation’ mantra came to life on Saturday when the Namibian house came together in remembrance of the lives and legacies of Founding President Sam Nujoma and late president Hage Geingob at Heroes Acre in Windhoek.
The two departed leaders both died in February: Geingob passed away on 4 February 2024, while Nujoma died on 8 February 2025.
Speaking at the candle-light event, President Netumbo Nandi – Ndaitwah said the two leaders contributed immensely to the struggle for Namibia’s independence as well as the reconstruction and nation-building efforts that began on Independence Day, 21 March 1990.
“These two giants, each in his own time and in his own measure, left an indelible mark on Namibia’s history. Founding President Nujoma laid the firm foundation of our freedom and sovereignty, while (late) president Geingob strengthened that foundation through institution building and a commitment to unity and social progress,” said the Head of State.
She added that they championed nation-building, tirelessly working to foster unity and create an inclusive society, free from tribalism, division and corruption.
“Their efforts emphasised the importance of national cohesion and integrity as pillars for sustainable development. Together, their contributions form part of one continuous national journey. Today, we are able to see farther as a nation because we stand on the shoulders of these two giants,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah.
“To the Nujoma family and the Geingob family, we say: your loss is deeply personal, but it is also shared by the entire Namibian nation, the whole of Africa and the World. We remain grateful for the sacrifices you made in sharing these gallant sons of the soil with the people of Namibia,” she remarked.
The President called on the nation to preserve Nujoma and Geingob’s legacies “to ensure a society where every Namibian enjoys dignity, justice and equal opportunities from the abundance this land of ours has to offer.”
Legacies
In keeping his father’s legacy alive, Nujoma’s eldest son, Utoni Nujoma, urged young people to pick up the mantle and fight for economic emancipation.
“I know that they have done a great job by achieving political independence, but the economic struggle remains. That is the challenge. So, the youth must really take up this opportunity to make sure that they participate in all sectors of the economy so that our people are empowered,” he said.
Echoing these sentiments, former first lady Monika Geingos stated that the two leaders have opened a path for a brighter Namibia.
She urged the Namibian youth to find inspiration in the late presidents and embody their courage, dedication and determination in facing today’s challenges.
“I think it’s important to remember that those were men of their time, and they dealt with the issues of their time. And to young people, you must deal with the issues of your time… So, the youth have to take the courage, the dedication and the determination of those men and the men that came with them, and apply it to today’s issues and figure out complex things in a way that allows us, as Namibians, to remain united and patriotic to this country,” she said.
Saara Kuugongelwa – Amadhila, Speaker of the Namibian National Assembly, stated that presidents have leveraged youth to drive change. She urged today’s youth to carry on from where their predecessors left off as a way of honouring their sacrifices.
“Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, Founding President of the Republic of Namibia, and Dr Hage G. Geingob, the third president of the Republic of Namibia, are among the people who sacrificed their youth and their energies to bring about the transformation to this country that we all dreamed about,” she said.
“They never waited for someone in a more senior position to do that. They waged the struggle for national independence and established the foundation of a united, peaceful and democrat ic republic. And they set our economy on a course to national prosperity and development,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said.
Peter Katjavivi, former speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia, appreciated the unfolding of the remembrance tribute ceremony.
“I think the ceremony went very well – tremendous. This was the best tribute to our two great leaders, showing that they were dearly loved and that they are remembered with particular appreciation. This is a good beginning in terms of further commemorations,” he said.
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