Monica Geingos facts for kids

Monica Geingos (née Kalondo; born 15 November 1976) is a Namibian entrepreneur and lawyer who served as the 3rd First Lady of Namibia from 2015 until her husband died in 2024. She has been a board member and director within many of the country's large companies. She also chaired the Presidential Economic Advisory Council. She was the President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development. The former first lady of Namibia now serves as the Chancellor of Kepler College in Kigali, Rwanda.

Career

Geingos holds B.Juris and LLB degrees and has spent years as a private equity and governance expert in the financial sector.

In 2012, she was voted one of Namibia's 12 most influential people, and in 2020 she was on the list of 100 most influential African women. Geingos is a graduate of the University of Namibia and spent the early part of her career working for the Namibia Stock Exchange (NSX) in Windhoek. Geingos served as chairman of the board of eBank Namibia and is the managing director of the financial undertaking Stimulus, and general director of Point Break.

Personal life

Geingos married the then-president-electof Namibia, Hage Geingob, on 14 February 2015, shortly before he was sworn into office. She served as First Lady from 21 March 2015 to 04 February 2024, when Geingob died. During her husband's funeral, she described to him that he was born a peasant and died a president. Despite his modest upbringing, President Hage Geingob accomplished remarkable feats and influenced numerous lives.

Awards

Mrs. Geingos was awarded the World Without AIDS Award from the German AIDS Foundation.

Legacy

A school in Otjiwarongo, Monica Geingos Junior Secondary School is named after Mrs. Geingos. A street, Monica Geingos Street in Mondesa, Swakopmund is also named after her.