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Geingob in 2023

3rd President of Namibia
In office 21 March 2015 – 4 February 2024
Prime Minister	Saara Kuugongelwa
Vice President	Nickey Iyambo (2015–2018) Nangolo Mbumba (2018–2024)
Preceded by	Hifikepunye Pohamba
Succeeded by	Nangolo Mbumba (acting)
President of SWAPO
In office 26 November 2017 – 4 February 2024
Preceded by	Hifikepunye Pohamba
Prime Minister of Namibia
In office 4 December 2012 – 20 March 2015
President	Hifikepunye Pohamba
Deputy	Marco Hausiku
Preceded by	Nahas Angula
Succeeded by	Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila
In office 21 March 1990 – 28 August 2002
President	Sam Nujoma
Deputy	Hendrik Witbooi
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Theo-Ben Gurirab
Minister of Trade and Industry
In office 8 April 2008 – 4 December 2012
Prime Minister	Nahas Angula
Preceded by	Immanuel Ngatjizeko
Succeeded by	Calle Schlettwein

Personal details
Born	(1941-08-03)3 August 1941 Otjiwarongo, South West Africa (now Namibia)
Died	4 February 2024(2024-02-04) (aged 82) Windhoek, Namibia
Political party	SWAPO
Spouses	Priscilla "Patty" Geingos (m. 1967; div. 1992) Loini Kandume (m. 1992; div. 2008) Monica Kalondo (after 2015)
Children	3
Alma mater	Temple University Fordham University (BA) The New School (MA) University of Leeds (PhD)

Hage Gottfried Geingob (born August 3, 1941 – died February 4, 2024) was an important politician from Namibia. He served as the third president of Namibia from 2015 until his death in 2024.

Before becoming president, Geingob was the first Prime Minister of Namibia from 1990 to 2002. He also served as prime minister again from 2012 to 2015. From 2008 to 2012, he was the Minister of Trade and Industry. He was also the president of the main political party in Namibia, the SWAPO Party, from 2017 until he passed away.

In 2014, Geingob was chosen as president of Namibia by a huge number of votes. In 2017, he became the third president of the SWAPO party. He also led the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for one year starting in 2018.

Who Was Hage Geingob?
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Who Was Hage Geingob?

Hage Geingob was a key figure in Namibia's journey to independence and its development as a nation. He held many important roles, helping to shape the country's government and future. His work focused on improving life for Namibians and building strong relationships with other countries.

His Early Life and Education

Hage Geingob was born in Otjiwarongo, which was then called South West Africa (now Namibia), in 1941. He went to school in Otavi under a system called the Bantu Education System. This system offered poor quality education to Black students.

In 1958, he joined the Augustineum Training College. Many future Namibian leaders studied there. In 1960, he was kicked out for protesting the bad education. He was later allowed back and finished his teacher training in 1961.

He became a teacher at Tsumeb Primary School. But he felt he couldn't continue his own education in Namibia. He also didn't like being forced to teach under the Bantu Education System.

So, he left his job to find a way to change the system. He and three friends walked and hitchhiked to Botswana. From there, he planned to fly to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The plane was meant for the African National Congress (ANC) but was bombed by South Africans. Luckily, the bomb went off too early, before the plane took off. After this, it became harder to leave the country secretly. So, Geingob stayed in Botswana. He worked there as an Assistant SWAPO Representative from 1963 to 1964.

Studying and Working Abroad

In 1964, Geingob moved to the United States to study at Temple University in Philadelphia. He received a scholarship to help him pay for his studies. He then earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Fordham University in New York City in 1970. In 1974, he got a Master of Arts (MA) degree in International Relations from The New School in New York.

While studying, he was also appointed as the SWAPO Representative at the United Nations and for the Americas in 1964. He held this important role until 1971. He traveled a lot across the United States, talking to people and giving speeches. He and his team worked hard to get the world to recognize SWAPO.

Eventually, the United Nations General Assembly recognized SWAPO as the true voice of the Namibian people. This international support, along with the armed struggle that started in 1966, helped Namibia gain its independence in 1990.

Becoming a Leader in Namibia

In 1972, Geingob started working for the United Nations Secretariat as a political affairs officer. He held this job until 1975. Then, he became the director of the United Nations Institute for Namibia.

He and his team started this institute. Its main goal was to train people who could take over the government jobs in Namibia once it became independent. The institute also did research to create plans for the new government. Over time, the institute grew and worked with many universities in Europe.

Geingob was the director of the United Nations Institute for Namibia until 1989. During this time, he was also a member of SWAPO's Central Committee and Politburo.

Helping Namibia Become Independent

In 1989, SWAPO chose Geingob to lead their election campaign in Namibia. He returned to Namibia on June 18, 1989, after being away for 27 years. As SWAPO's Director of Elections, he helped set up election centers across the country. He led the campaign that brought SWAPO to power in Namibia.

After the elections, on November 21, 1989, he was chosen as chairman of the Constituent Assembly. This group was in charge of writing the Namibian Constitution. Geingob helped the different groups in the assembly learn to trust each other. This led to "national reconciliation" becoming a government policy. Under his leadership, the Constituent Assembly approved the Namibian Constitution on February 9, 1990.

Serving as Prime Minister

On March 21, 1990, Geingob became the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia. He was sworn in for a second term on March 21, 1995. He served as prime minister for 12 years. As prime minister, he brought new ways of managing the government. He also cared about protecting nature and promoting tourism. In the early 1990s, he opened the Ongava Lodge near Etosha National Park.

In 2002, he was replaced as prime minister by Theo-Ben Gurirab. He was offered a different, less senior job, but he chose not to take it. In 2003, Geingob was invited to be the Executive Secretary of the Global Coalition for Africa in Washington, D.C.. This group brings together African leaders and international partners to discuss Africa's development. His work focused on solving conflicts, promoting good government, and helping African economies grow.

His Journey to Presidency

In 2004, Geingob returned to Namibia and won a seat in the parliamentary election. He became the chief whip for SWAPO in the National Assembly in 2007. Later that year, he was chosen as the only candidate for vice-president of SWAPO. He was elected without opposition and became the Minister of Trade and Industry in 2008.

At SWAPO's party meeting in 2012, Geingob was re-elected as vice-president. This made him likely to become the next president of Namibia in 2015. After the meeting, President Hifikepunye Pohamba appointed Geingob as prime minister again in December 2012.

As the SWAPO candidate, Geingob was elected President of Namibia by a large number of votes in November 2014. He received 87% of the votes. He was sworn in as president on March 21, 2015. Many leaders from other countries attended the ceremony. He was re-elected in November 2019 with 56.3% of the votes.

In 2018, he became the chairperson of SADC. In 2023, Geingob named Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as SWAPO's candidate for the next presidential election. In January 2024, he supported South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

His Personal Interests

Hage Geingob was a big fan of football and often went to important games. He also regularly attended the Namibia Annual Music Awards (NAMAs). When he was younger, he sang in a choir and played in a band.

He was married three times and had three children. The Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium and the Medical School Campus of the University of Namibia in Windhoek are named after him.

Awards and Special Recognition

In 1980, he received the Palmes académiques (Officer Class) from the French Government. This was for his valuable work in education.
In 1987, he was given the Omugulugwombashe Medal by SWAPO. This was for his bravery and long service.
In 1994, he received an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) from Columbia College, Illinois.
In 1994, he was awarded the second highest honor in Cuba, the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes.
In 1994, the Government of Namibia gave him the Order of the Sun, 1st Class. This was for his excellent political leadership.
In 1995, he received an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) from the University of Delhi, India.
In 1997, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) by the University of Namibia.
In 1998, he received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from The American University of Rome.
In 2001, a new school for children in need was opened in Katutura and named after him. The Hage G. Geingob High School helps many students from the informal settlements around Windhoek.
In 2015, he was given the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis. This was given by President Hifikepunye Pohamba when Geingob became Namibia's third President.

His Research and Writings

Hage Geingob earned his PhD from the University of Leeds. His research focused on how Namibia became a state. He looked at important events and the roles of different people in shaping Namibia. He also studied how Namibians worked to build a united society from different groups. His research covered how they promoted democracy, reconciliation, human rights, and good government.

As the director of the Institute for Namibia, Hage Geingob oversaw all research there. This led to 22 published research studies.

He also led a big study called Namibia: Perspectives for National Reconstruction and Development. This study covered all parts of rebuilding and developing an independent Namibia. It became known as the "Blue Bible" because of its cover color. This study provided a plan for setting up the new government in independent Namibia.

Geingob also wrote many articles for different publications, including books, magazines, and newspapers. He traveled widely and attended many international conferences.

His Passing

On February 4, 2024, Vice President Nangolo Mbumba announced that Hage Geingob had passed away at a hospital in Windhoek. His wife and children were with him. On January 8, 2024, Geingob had announced that he was diagnosed with cancer. He went to the United States for cancer treatment on January 25. He returned to Namibia on January 30 after two days of treatment.

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Swearing-in of President Hage Geingob (2015)
Geingob and US President Joe Biden at the United States–Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, December 2022