25 Feb 2024

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has told Parliament of his shared vision with the late former President of Namibia, Dr Hage Geingob.

“We shared a common vision and an unwavering determination to achieve higher levels of development for our countries and people,” President Masisi said when addressing Parliament on Friday.

He said it was no surprise that flags flew at half-mast in Botswana following  Dr Geingob demise since the two nations upheld common ideals with respect to democracy, respect for human rights and commitment to resolve differences through dialogue.

 President Masisi also said he looked up to Dr Geingob both as an elder statesman and brother, adding that their warm relationship made it easy for the citizenry of both countries and senior government officials to deepen bilateral ties.

 He said the 2023 bilateral agreement to allow citizens of Botswana and Namibia to use national identity cards to cross borders between the two countries was one of the milestones that Dr Geingob would be remembered for. He described Dr Geingob as an extraordinary man and leader who fought the injustices of his time to liberate his nation. He said the world had lost a champion of democracy and a fighter of note whose contributions to building and nurturing peace, freedom and stability in Africa and beyond was well documented and would forever be an enduring footprint in history.

“It is, therefore, befitting to say his life was a journey of servitude which took him to Francistown in quest of liberation for his country and his people. He specifically lived in Bluetown at the White House. He lived in plot 7440 and was accommodated by Ms Mary Kaoyao of Namibian origin. It is the same lady who also accommodated former president, Dr Sam Nujoma,” he said.

President Masisi also noted that the late Namibian president was the last head of state to address the Botswana Parliament on 11 July 2016, adding that Botswana was saddened by the death of Dr Geingob, and government  would hold a memorial service post the funeral in tribute to the late president at Gaborone International Conference Centre (GICC) on 13 March 2024.

 He said the memorial service would also be live streamed to the Namibian Broadcasting Services by  Botswana Television (BTV) to allow sympathisers to join in celebrating the fallen icon. ends