Dr. Hage Geingob was a distinguished servant of the people and a liberation struggle legend. His death this week has caused us all to pause and reflect as the torch of liberation passes to new hands. With 27 years of exile under his belt, he spent his youth advocating for the rights of Namibians.
His advocacy efforts were ignited in 1958, Hage Geingob went to school to become a teacher which soon led him to protest the quality of education in Windhoek. He was expelled for this act but the seeds of activism had already been sown.
Subsequently, while gaining a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in the U.S. he became a SWAPO representative to the United Nations. He was famously quoted saying, “Namibia is a child of international solidarity” during his Inauguration speech as the third president of Namibia in March 2015. But before securing this internationally recognized role, he became Prime Minister and headed the Constituent Assembly that drew up independent Namibia’s Constitution.
Hage Geingob will always be remembered as a relatable leader, a down-to-earth human being and a fierce advocate for justice. He once said, “Legacy has to be told by people. I cannot say that I did this or that” and his legendary legacy will live on!
FUN FACT: Did you know that Geingob was a passionate footballer, earning the nickname ‘Danger Point’ as a right fullback?
Jeannette Washington
Digital Learning and IB Continuum Teacher
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