Hage to lie in state in Windhoek
Remains will not be transported to the regions
A memorial service for Namibia's late president will be held at the Independence Arena on Wednesday.
Late president Hage Geingob will lie in state in Windhoek and will be buried on Sunday (25 February) at Hero's Acre outside the capital.However, his remains will not be transported to the regions to give residents the chance to pay their last respects to the late president before he is buried.
Notice 6 of 2024 was published in the Government Gazette on 16 February 2024. It was signed by the current Head of State, Nangolo Mbumba, awarding national hero status to Namibia's third president, the former prime minister and chairman of the constitutional assembly.
Geingob's life - from his birth on 3 August 1941 to his death on 4 February 2024 - is honoured nationwide from 5 February to 25 February with a national period of mourning.
All the national flags will fly at half-mast until Sunday and all Geingob's photos must be decorated with a black ribbon - which is tied to the left side of the photo.
The minister of information and communication technology, Emma Theofelus, said on Friday via the national broadcaster that the preparatory committee led by the prime minister, Saara Kuugongelwa Amadhila, and in consultation with the Geingob family, decided to hold daily mourning services tonight and tomorrow night at continuing the family's home, Casa Rosalia.
A service will be held at the Independence Arena in Katutura on Wednesday from 18:00 to 20:00.
Theofelus said services in the regions will continue as arranged by the relevant regional governors in consultation with the central government.
"Late President Hage G. Geingob's remains will remain in Windhoek. The commemorations and other events in Windhoek and all over the country continued without the late president's remains. We therefore plead with all citizens and institutions nationwide to continue with their commemoration of the late president, even in the absence of his remains."
When Mbumba was asked if there would be any opportunity for the public to view Geingob's remains, he replied: "Yes, follow the announcements from the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology."
The executive director of the ministry, dr. Audrin Mathe gave the assurance that the ministry will make all the details about the funeral available at the government's information centre, as appropriate.
The presidential spokesman, Alfredo Hengari, confirmed that the late president's remains will lie in state at the parliament gardens. Theofelus also confirmed and said: "Yes the public will be given a chance to view the remains of our beloved late president Hage G. Geingob during the official (morning) memorial service at the Independence Stadium and where he (afternoon) will be in state will lie on 24 February 2024.”
There is still uncertainty about a request from the Damara royal council to be able to perform traditional farewell rituals, according to the council's secretary general, Abner Xoagub.
According to tribe member Rosa Namises, the rituals are very important, especially for older members of the Damara tribes. Specifically the ||Gōa ǂNobos ritual is performed before sunrise on the day of the funeral, to bid farewell to the deceased. This is close to the heart of the members of the tribe from which Geingob comes, she says.
Namises say they hope to at least have the opportunity to spend the evening with his remains after the official ceremonies at the parliament gardens.
"It would be very sad if we could not say goodbye like this, and for the older people it is essential also to tell our ancestors what happened, to ask them to welcome him," she says.
– augetto@[email protected]