Namibia’s President Dies @ 82

Namibia’s President Hage Geingob has died at the age of 82 while receiving medical treatment at a hospital in the capital, Windhoek.

A veteran of the country’s independence struggle, Mr Geingob had been diagnosed with cancer and revealed the details to the public last month.

He died early on Sunday with his wife and children by his side, Vice-President Nangolo Mbumba announced.

Mr Mbumba has since been sworn-in as his replacement.

He will serve in the role until elections due later this year.

“I take on this heavy mantle cognisant of the weight of responsibility,” Mr Mbumba said at a hastily arranged swearing-in ceremony at state house in Windhoek, just 15 hours after the death of Mr Geingob.

Paying tribute to his predecessor, he said that “our nation remains calm and stable owing to the leadership of President Geingob who was the chief architect of the constitution”.

Mr Geingob was first sworn-in as president in 2015, but had served in top political positions since independence in 1990.

The exact cause of his death was not given but last month he underwent “a two-day novel treatment for cancerous cells” in the US before flying back home on 31 January, his office had said.

On Namibian radio, people have been sharing memories of someone they described as a visionary as well as a jovial man, who was able to share a joke.

Leaders from around the world have been sending condolence messages with many talking about Mr Geingob’s efforts to ensure his country’s freedom.
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