President Hage G. Geingob of Namibia, a key figure in the country’s struggle for independence from apartheid-era South Africa, has passed away at the age of 82. The announcement was made by the presidential office in a statement attributed to Vice President Nangolo Mbumba, who is now the acting president. Mr. Geingob, who took office in 2015, died at a hospital in Windhoek after receiving treatment for cancer. He was Namibia’s first prime minister from 1990 until 2002 and then again 10 years later before being elected president. Born in 1941, Mr. Geingob was a leader in the South West Africa People’s Organization, which fought for Namibian independence. He studied in the United States and played a crucial role in drafting the country’s new Constitution. He was re-elected in 2019 and was serving his second term when he died. Namibia is to hold its next election later this year, and Mr. Geingob’s governing SWAPO party has chosen Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as its prime minister candidate. If elected, she would be the country’s first female president. Mr. Geingob is survived by his wife and children. Source: www.nytimes.com
