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President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded a Working Visit to Windhoek, Namibia, today, Sunday, 25 February 2024, where he joined the Geingob family, the First Lady Madame Monica Geingos, the people and government of Namibia and other Heads of State and Government, to bid farewell to the President of the Republic of Namibia, His Excellency Hage Gottfried Geingob

President Geingob passed away on Sunday, 04 February 2024, while being treated in hospital for cancer.

President Ramaphosa reiterates, on behalf of the government and people of South Africa, his deep condolences to the government and people of Namibia, especially First Lady Madame Monica Geingos.

President Ramaphosa further extends his sympathies to President Nangolo Mbumba, the Cabinet of our neighbouring state and the leadership and members of the SWAPO Party at this time of mourning.

President Ramaphosa and President Geingob enjoyed a close relationship which infused relations between our two countries.

In 2023, President Ramaphosa hosted President Geingob to a State Visit to South Africa in April, while in October, President Ramaphosa undertook a Working Visit to Namibia to co-chair with President Geingob the Third Session of the South Africa-Namibia Bi-National Commission.

“I will forever remember, very fondly, his brotherly love. I remain inspired by the dedication he demonstrated towards his work, his undoubted commitment to the well being of his people and his desire to see a peaceful, united and developing continent of Africa. His support and guidance to me and to fellow Heads of State and Government within SADC remains invaluable to this day and in the future,” reflected President Ramaphosa.

Whilst in Namibia President Cyril Ramaphosa held a meeting with HE President Felix Tshisikedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, HE President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi and HE President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi in Namibia.

The meeting continues from an engagement between the heads of state that took place in Addis Ababa on the margins of the recently held AU Summit. The leaders, whose countries have contributed troops to the SADC Mission in the DRC, discussed efforts towards the restoration of peace and security in the eastern DRC.

Issued by the Presidency