Hage loved genuinely – Geingos
Monica Geingos on Saturday delivered an emotional tribute to her late husband, Hage Geingob, saying she has lost her anchor who loved people from all walks of life genuinely.
The late statesman’s widow, despite being visibly weighed down by grief, took to the podium during the official memorial service to pay tribute to her husband, who died 10 days before their 10th wedding anniversary.
Geingob succumbed to cancer on 4 February at Lady Pohamba Private Hospital.
While ordinarily messages from the widow are delivered by a representative, Geingos took it upon herself to address hundreds of mourners at Independence Stadium.
She painted a picture of Geingob’s ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
North star
During her teary tribute, Geingos described her late husband as a good problem-solver; a joyful and honest person.
“Raised by his grandparents, he was an old soul with a youthful spirit, and I must say, his love was foundational to his high level of confidence.
"A boy born under a tree is being recognised by the world. He deserves it because he loved dearly. The outpouring of grief is a testament to how deeply he was loved. To be joined by so many people speaks to his ability to forge enduring connections and, I must say, he connected to people from all walks of life,” she said.
According to Geingos: “In his death, he truly came alive and transcended political, racial and ethnic boundaries. He always wanted an inclusive Namibia with cultural integration and a lack of tribalism”.
She described Geingob as the north star of their family.
“When we looked at him, we knew where to go. He is gone, but he left us with a map with clear direction,” she said, adding that she feels unmoored since her husband’s death.
“This country wept. The scenes we saw were heartbreaking and heart-warming in equal measure - a nation united in grief and celebrating their president. He gave so much of himself that we all had a piece of him. I can say he never wanted to be owned because he belonged to everyone,” she said.
Cancer concerns
Geingos also expressed her deep concern over the increasing number of cancer cases in the country, further taking mourners into confidence on how Geingob’s cancer was detected.
"On 16 January 2024, we were informed by doctors that he had cancer. The next day, we had our first oncology appointment and on [18 January], he issued a media release. Did he know how much time he had left? No, he didn't, and his passing was completely unexpected.
“He was eager to retire. We had so many plans. His passing is a reminder to be ready. His death brought us together, no matter what our differences were beforehand. Our love, our shared love for this country, brought us together through his death,” she said.
"Hage put me in the front row of the ordeal of cancer. All the doctors I worked with are concerned about the increase in cancer cases in Namibia and all over the world. They also said they were happy about men coming in for a screening after the president announced he had cancer.
“The World Health Organisation predicts an increase of 77% in cancer cases by the year 2050. Cancer care, especially the inadequacy that defines it, must be a priority focus, because it certainly will be for me.”
National contribution
She further lauded Geingob for his contribution in shaping this country’s destiny.
“He spent political capital on issues he knew were for the greater good in the long-term, even if it was unpopular in the short-term. He wielded power for most of his life and he spoke his mind - even when it was unpopular,” she said.
She added that Geingob was keen to ensure that there were no power vacuums when he left office.
"Hage, the internationalist, the Pan-African, the Namibian, the family man, the proud father to many, the joyful giver, the man who spoke of the Namibian House. A house where we all move in the same direction.
“While we mourned Hage, we became everything he wanted us to be: United, law-abiding and people moving in the same direction," she said.
The late statesman’s widow, despite being visibly weighed down by grief, took to the podium during the official memorial service to pay tribute to her husband, who died 10 days before their 10th wedding anniversary.
Geingob succumbed to cancer on 4 February at Lady Pohamba Private Hospital.
While ordinarily messages from the widow are delivered by a representative, Geingos took it upon herself to address hundreds of mourners at Independence Stadium.
She painted a picture of Geingob’s ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
North star
During her teary tribute, Geingos described her late husband as a good problem-solver; a joyful and honest person.
“Raised by his grandparents, he was an old soul with a youthful spirit, and I must say, his love was foundational to his high level of confidence.
"A boy born under a tree is being recognised by the world. He deserves it because he loved dearly. The outpouring of grief is a testament to how deeply he was loved. To be joined by so many people speaks to his ability to forge enduring connections and, I must say, he connected to people from all walks of life,” she said.
According to Geingos: “In his death, he truly came alive and transcended political, racial and ethnic boundaries. He always wanted an inclusive Namibia with cultural integration and a lack of tribalism”.
She described Geingob as the north star of their family.
“When we looked at him, we knew where to go. He is gone, but he left us with a map with clear direction,” she said, adding that she feels unmoored since her husband’s death.
“This country wept. The scenes we saw were heartbreaking and heart-warming in equal measure - a nation united in grief and celebrating their president. He gave so much of himself that we all had a piece of him. I can say he never wanted to be owned because he belonged to everyone,” she said.
Cancer concerns
Geingos also expressed her deep concern over the increasing number of cancer cases in the country, further taking mourners into confidence on how Geingob’s cancer was detected.
"On 16 January 2024, we were informed by doctors that he had cancer. The next day, we had our first oncology appointment and on [18 January], he issued a media release. Did he know how much time he had left? No, he didn't, and his passing was completely unexpected.
“He was eager to retire. We had so many plans. His passing is a reminder to be ready. His death brought us together, no matter what our differences were beforehand. Our love, our shared love for this country, brought us together through his death,” she said.
"Hage put me in the front row of the ordeal of cancer. All the doctors I worked with are concerned about the increase in cancer cases in Namibia and all over the world. They also said they were happy about men coming in for a screening after the president announced he had cancer.
“The World Health Organisation predicts an increase of 77% in cancer cases by the year 2050. Cancer care, especially the inadequacy that defines it, must be a priority focus, because it certainly will be for me.”
National contribution
She further lauded Geingob for his contribution in shaping this country’s destiny.
“He spent political capital on issues he knew were for the greater good in the long-term, even if it was unpopular in the short-term. He wielded power for most of his life and he spoke his mind - even when it was unpopular,” she said.
She added that Geingob was keen to ensure that there were no power vacuums when he left office.
"Hage, the internationalist, the Pan-African, the Namibian, the family man, the proud father to many, the joyful giver, the man who spoke of the Namibian House. A house where we all move in the same direction.
“While we mourned Hage, we became everything he wanted us to be: United, law-abiding and people moving in the same direction," she said.
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