Windhoek - Angola's ambassador to Namibia, Jovelina Imperial, on Thursday took part in a tribute to the late President Hage Geingob, in Windhoek, which was attended by his widow, Monica Geingob, Acting President Nangolo Mbumba, as well as former President Hifikepunye Pohamba.
The ceremony, which took place at times in the rain, was part of the daily tributes following the death of President Hage Geingob on 4 February and once again brought together around a thousand people, including government officials, civil society and the general population.
It is a ritual that has been repeated during the period of mourning that Namibia has been experiencing since the fifth of this month, and which will end on 25 February with the official wake and 26 February with the funeral at Heroes' Acre cemetery in Windhoek.
The Angolan Head of State, João Lourenço, is expected in Windhoek for the funeral, among 26 of his counterparts and 18 representatives from different countries.
After Geingob's private residence hosted the initial funeral ceremonies, various individual and collective demonstrations have multiplied throughout the country with testimonies, candlelight vigils and musical concerts, among others.
On Hage Geingob's legacy, opinions converge on his central role in establishing one of Africa's most stable democracies and his steadfastness in advancing Africa's agenda and world affairs.
He was Prime Minister of Namibia twice (1990-2002 and 2012-2015) and came to power in March 2015 and was re-elected in 2019, thus becoming the third president of a country that became independent in the 1990s when it ceased to be politically controlled by South Africa.
Hage Geingob faced a long exile in Botswana and the United States as an anti-apartheid activist.
Following Geingob's physical passing, his vice-president, Nangolo Mbumba, was swiftly sworn in as acting president to complete his second and final term.
With elections scheduled for November, according to a government statement, Nangolo Mbumba will lead Namibia until 21 March 2025, when the winner of the polls will take office.
Hage Geingob died on 4 February at the age of 82 from cancer.
ADR/VIC/MRA/jmc
