Iyambo collapses at Nghidinwa funeral
It is the second time that the elderly vice-president Nickey Iyambo has collapsed at an official gathering and there is concern about his ability to hold office.
Vice-president Nickey Iyambo on Saturday fainted during the funeral of Rosalia Nghidinwa at Nkurenkuru in the Kavango West Region and was taken for a medical check-up.
Iyambo (81), who was seated next to founding president Sam Nujoma, fainted just minutes before Nghidinwa's coffin was lowered into the ground. His protocol officer reacted quickly by carrying him into his official vehicle and took off.
Iyambo had been expected to lay a wreath on the grave but he did not return to the cemetery.
Iyambo had earlier read a speech on behalf of President Hage Geingob, who was in Ethiopia for the African Union summit.
When the incident was reported on social media, many people called for Iyambo to step down as vice-president because of ill health.
When contacted for comment, the minister of presidential affairs, Frans Kapofi, said Iyambo was doing well and people should not be concerned.
Kapofi said Iyambo suffers from low blood pressure, which is aggravated by travelling long distances and by hot weather.
He said when Iyambo's blood pressure returned to normal he was airlifted to Windhoek and he was doing well.
“When he arrived in Windhoek we spoke and he was doing well, there is no sort of concern at all,” Kapofi said.
In September 2016, Iyambo fainted at an event at Tsumeb and it was reported that he had had nothing to eat that day.
KENYA KAMBOWE
Iyambo (81), who was seated next to founding president Sam Nujoma, fainted just minutes before Nghidinwa's coffin was lowered into the ground. His protocol officer reacted quickly by carrying him into his official vehicle and took off.
Iyambo had been expected to lay a wreath on the grave but he did not return to the cemetery.
Iyambo had earlier read a speech on behalf of President Hage Geingob, who was in Ethiopia for the African Union summit.
When the incident was reported on social media, many people called for Iyambo to step down as vice-president because of ill health.
When contacted for comment, the minister of presidential affairs, Frans Kapofi, said Iyambo was doing well and people should not be concerned.
Kapofi said Iyambo suffers from low blood pressure, which is aggravated by travelling long distances and by hot weather.
He said when Iyambo's blood pressure returned to normal he was airlifted to Windhoek and he was doing well.
“When he arrived in Windhoek we spoke and he was doing well, there is no sort of concern at all,” Kapofi said.
In September 2016, Iyambo fainted at an event at Tsumeb and it was reported that he had had nothing to eat that day.
KENYA KAMBOWE
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article