Fellow Mourners;
Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
1. We are gathered here, on these hallowed grounds of Heroes Acre, the final resting place of the remains of the Heroes and Heroines who resisted the scourge of colonialism since 1884, culminating in national armed resistance in 1966, and independence in 1990. They bravely sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Indeed, we pay respect to these gallant sons and daughters whose courage, fortitude and valiant exploits, contributed to the independence of the Republic of Namibia and the advancement of her people. Today, they are joined by a national hero who excelled in his assigned tasks, as a courageous freedom fighter; as a unifying Chairman of the Constituent Assembly; as the consequential first Prime Minister and as third President of the Republic of Namibia and the Puling Party, SWAPO. Today, they are joined by their fellow hero, a Son of the Soil, a revolutionary icon and torchbearer of freedom, justice and equality – Comrade Dr. Hage Gottfried Geingob.
2. The constant struggle and strife which defines the living world is no longer a concern for this celebrated Brave Warrior and Statesman. For he has fought the good fight, he has finished the race, he has kept the faith. Today he can return home to the everlasting Kingdom where eternal rest and peace awaits.
3. In the gospel of Mathew 11:28, we are invited, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. Dear Comrade Geingob, you have fought valiantly and consistently without wavering, for your family, for the entire Namibia, and the oppressed people throughout this world, until your very last breath.
4. It is now time for you to rest. It is now time for us to part. Yes it is now time for us to let you go.
5. May you no longer be weary and may you no longer be burdened. Leave the worries of this world and the worries of Namibia to the present and future generations and go in peace. We will take care of your Namibian House and the needs of its citizens, the Sovereigns.
6. In our governance, we will continue to uphold the Constitution of the Land as the supreme Law, we will strive to be transparent, accountable and inclusive. Yes, we will continue to pursue the Second Struggle for Economic freedom of Namibians with the required urgency, efficiency and effectiveness, until shared prosperity and social justice are achieved for the citizens.
7. To Madame Monica Geingos, the children, the extended family and friends, the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with you in this solemn moment as we bid farewell to President Geingob. To Your Excellencies who have travelled from far and near to pay your last respects to President Geingob, take comfort and be strong in the wonderful legacy that he has left us with. The legacy of universal solidarity and extraordinary service to humanity.
