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[PHOTOS] Final Salute: Ex-Namibian President Geingob laid to rest

Soldiers gave him a 21-gun salute as K-8 fighter jets flew past to honor the former Head of State.

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by MAUREEN KINYANJUI

In-pictures26 February 2024 - 06:01
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In Summary


  • •This was the first time Namibia had buried a president since its independence from South Africa, then under white-minority rule, in 1990.
  • • President Hage Geingob body lay in state at Independence Stadium before being taken on Sunday, in a gun-mounted carriage, to Heroes' Acre.
The casket carrying the remains of former Namibia's President Hage Geingob is lowered at the mausoleum at Heroes Acre in Windhoek, Namibia as his family looks from outside on February 25, 2024.

Marking the end of 20 days of mourning, Namibia's former President Hage Geingob was laid to rest on Sunday.

His remains were interred in a mausoleum at Heros' Acre on the outskirts of the capital, Windhoek as mourners bid farewell to the man whom they once referred to as the father of the nation.

Soldiers gave Geingob a 21-gun salute as K-8 fighter jets flew past to honor the former Head of State.

His widow, former First Lady Monica Geingos could not hide his tears as she watched her husband's casket lowered to the grave.

Thousands of mourners including 25 Heads of State were in attendance to pay tribute to a man they hailed as a nation-builder.

His body lay in state at Independence Stadium before being taken on Sunday, in a gun-mounted carriage, to Heroes' Acre.

Huge screens were put up so that the public could see his funeral.

This was the first time Namibia had buried a president since its independence from South Africa, then under white-minority rule, in 1990.

Geingob returned from the United States of America on January 31, 2024, following a two-day novel treatment for cancerous cells.

He had courageously disclosed his diagnosis to the public just a month before his death.

However, Geingob died in hospital on February 4, 2024, surrounded by his wife, Madame Monica Geingos, and children.

Having assumed office in 2015, Geingob was in his second and final term, serving as the chief architect of Namibia's Constitution and a pivotal figure in the liberation struggle.

His deputy, now President Nangolo Mbumba, was sworn in as his successor.


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