EDITORIAL: Geingob’s lessons of resilience

One of the key takeaways from the life of late president Hage Geingob is his 'rags-to-royalty' journey. His life story inspires hope, with triumph arrogantly defying adversity in a manner that should motivate Namibians to believe in their potential for success.

Notwithstanding that he was born and grew up in the ghetto, his journey pretty much had thorns until perhaps in 2012. He fell from grace in 2002 when a Cabinet reshuffle stripped him of his position as prime minister. Unhappy with the demotion, he threw his toys out of the cot and threw the local government portfolio back in the face of then president Sam Nujoma.

With this came a spiralling descent in his political fortunes. Government demotion aside, he failed to be re-elected to the Swapo politburo at that year’s congress. With virtually no breathing space for him in both government and politics, he sought fresh air overseas – becoming executive secretary of the Global Coalition for Africa based in Washington, DC.

While in America, he was voted into parliament by his Swapo comrades, becoming a backbencher in the National Assembly. He mounted a serious comeback, punctuated by being appointed trade minister and prime minister, and then elected state president.

This is a story of courage. Geingob fell so many times along his long journey, but it’s how he stood up and soldiered on that must serve as inspiration for generations.