“… Indeed, we have lost an icon, a mentor, and a legend.
Our hearts ache for the loss of one of our brightest lights. We now must learn how to live without Hage Geingob.”
Those were the sombre words of Mines and Energy Minister, Tom Alweendo when he paid tribute to the late President Hage Geingob in Parliament.
“It is rather difficult to refer to President Hage Geingob as late – it is surreal; it is unimaginable,” Alweendo said.
Alweendo emphasised that the late President was indeed an extraordinary man who spent all his life in public service and left an indelible mark in many people’s memory.
“We have lost an icon, a mentor, and a legend. Our hearts ache for the loss of one of our brightest lights. We now must learn how to live without Hage,” he said.
According to him, he got to know President Geingob only in 1989, soon after he returned from exile. In that year, as the Swapo National Director for elections, Geingob crisscrossed the country.
“As Party functionaries, we had an opportunity to interact with him,” he recalled.
President Geingob was a man determined to achieve something, determined against all odds, to make his mark on the Namibian political landscape, he stressed, while attributing him to nation-building for all Namibians.
Equally, Alweendo re-emphasised the theme of ‘The Year of Expectation’ as declared by the late Geingob in January, calling for its fulfilment by all national leaders.
His idea that no one should feel left out still rocks memories, he stated.
“We remember how he extolled the virtues of inclusiveness. His mantra was: exclusion spells conflict, while inclusion spells harmony,” said Alweendo.
He used the opportunity to reiterate that the departure of President Geingob comes at a time when his dream of a Namibian house was incomplete.
Despite this, he urged fellow national leaders to be prepared to continue where he has ended.
“It is my wish and hope that we will take up the mantle of leadership to ensure that the dream is not deferred indefinitely,” he encouraged.
Alweendo sympathised with the widow and the children saying they are not morning alone.
“Those we love do not go away. They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always nearby.
Still loved, still missed, and forever dear to us.” Our beloved Hage will always walk beside us every day and always be nearby,” he comforted.
