South Africa joined Namibia in mourning today, February 4, 2024, following the passing of President Hage Geingob. President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed deep sadness and offered condolences to the Namibian people and Geingob’s family.
“Today, South Africa joins the people of our sister state, Namibia, in mourning the passing of a leader, patriot, and friend of South Africa,” Ramaphosa said in a statement.
Geingob, a veteran of Namibia’s liberation struggle and a close ally of South Africa, died while undergoing treatment for cancer. His passing comes just months before the national elections in both countries.
Ramaphosa recalled his recent visit to Namibia, where he and Geingob pledged to strengthen the partnership between the two nations. He lauded Geingob’s dedication to regional cooperation and his role in supporting South Africa’s struggle against apartheid.
“President Geingob was a towering veteran of Namibia’s liberation from colonialism and apartheid,” Ramaphosa stated. “He was also greatly influential in the solidarity that the people of Namibia extended to the people of South Africa so that we could be free today.”
The South African president called Geingob a “comrade in struggle” and a “close partner in our democratic dispensation.” He expressed condolences to the Geingob family and the Namibian people, offering South Africa’s support during this time of mourning.
Today, South Africa joins the people of our sister state Namibia in mourning the passing of a leader, patriot and friend of South Africa.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Geingob family and the people of Namibia who have lost an outstanding leader in a year in which… pic.twitter.com/ssn7axOa3s
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) February 4, 2024