WINDHOEK, Namibia — Thousands of mourners, including 25 heads of state, have attended the funeral of Namibia’s late President Hage Geingob on Sunday.
He was laid to rest at the Heroes Acre on the outskirts of the capital Windhoek, culminating 20 days of national mourning.
Geingob, 82, passed away in early February just weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. He had served as Namibia’s president since 2015, capping a long career in public service.
Soldiers honored Geingob with a 21-gun salute, while fighter jets flew overhead at the emotional ceremony. Interim President Nangolo Mbumba lauded Geingob’s profound legacy, saying “Your footprint on this nation is immense.”
Geingob spent 27 years exiled fighting for Namibia’s independence from apartheid South Africa, finally returning in 1989 ahead of independence the next year. He helped draft Namibia’s widely praised constitution and later became the country’s first prime minister.
Rich in diamonds, uranium and lithium, Namibia has worked under Geingob to court foreign investment and diversity its mineral-dependent economy. The country is set to hold elections in November.
