Following the death of Namibia’s president Hage Geingob, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, the wife of late Biafra Leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu took to her fb page to pay tribute to the SWAPO(South West Africa Peoples Organization ) Liberation movement hero and anti apartheid activist who, after 27 years in exile, returned to become Prime minister when Namibia was liberated from South Africa in 1990. She also shared pictures from an event at the Namibia State House with the immediate past president who died yesterday as well as his successor Dr Nangolo Mbumba, who was also sworn in yesterday.
In a post captioned ‘SUN SETS FOR ANOTHER FREEDOM FIGHTER’, she stated that ‘ He was a true African leader who will be remembered for his unwavering efforts in the Namibia liberation struggle. I extend my deepest sympathies to his beautiful and resourceful wife, Lady Monica. They were one of the nicest couples I have ever come across, always welcoming and hospitable.
May His Soul Rest in Peace.’
She also noted his early life of struggle for freedom for Namibia against the oppression of the South African Apartheid Regime highlighting the fact that in 1960, the anti Apartheid activist was expelled from the Augustineum School for having participated in a march in protest at the poor quality of education for blacks. He was, however, readmitted and finished the teacher-training course in 1961.
‘He and three of his colleagues walked and hitchhiked to Botswana to escape the oppressive apartheid system. From Botswana, he was scheduled to go to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on a plane chartered by the African National Congress (ANC), but the plane was blown up by the South African regime. The bomb that had been planted on the plane to eliminate them mid flight went off prematurely, before the plane was able to take off. His exile years had begun.
Subsequently, Geingob remained in Botswana, where he served as Assistant (SWAPO) South West Africa People’s Organisation Representative (1963–64).
In 1964 Geingob left for the United States where he was granted a scholarship to continue his studies. He became the SWAPO representative at the United Nations and to the Americas.
He travelled extensively, with his colleagues, criss-crossing the United States, talking with people, and addressing gatherings. Ultimately the United Nations General Assembly recognised SWAPO as the sole and authentic representative of the people of Namibia. Namibians’ struggle at the international fora, and their armed struggle launched in 1966, eventually led to the independence of Namibia in 1990.
He returned , after 27 years in Exile on 18 June 1989 and in 1990, Namibia gained its independence from South Africa. Sam Nujoma, SWAPO’s founding father became Namibia’s first president and Hage Geingob became the Prime minister.’
Mrs Ojukwu further stated that ‘ He was loved by his people and fought hard to retain the principles of their hard earned freedom in SWAPO’s administration’.
Dr. Nangolo Mbumba has been sworn in as the fourth President of Namibia. He is Namibia’s former Vice President and has held the position since 2018. He was also the secretary general of SWAPO from 2012-2017.
He was sworn in on Sunday by Chief Justice Peter Shivute in Windhoek, the country’s capital.
He is a member of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), and its secretary-general from 2012 to 2017. He headed several Namibian ministries: Agriculture, Water and Rural Development (1993–1996), Finance (1996–2003), Information and Broadcasting (2003–2005) Education (2005–2010) and Safety and Security (2010–2012).
The Namibian nation has lost a distinguished servant of the people, a liberation struggle icon, the chief architect of our constitution and the pillar of the Namibian house,” Nangolo Mbumba , the New President stated.
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