FRIDAY 3 AUGUST 2018 President’s Birthday | 1 Geingob @ 77

A Publication of 2 | President’s Birthday FRIDAY 3 AUGUST 2018 Geingob – The Lover of Sports, Music

• MICHAEL KAYUNDE particularly memorable, immediately after independence and he put the nation RESIDENT has on the sporting map,” he praised the openly displayed his love and legendary Fredericks. Psupport of Namibian sports, arts and entertainment sectors. To a certain MUSIC extent, sports and entertainment events have been conduits through which On his choice of music, the President Geingob has connected with the people mentioned that he is eclectic and of . Ahead of his 77th birthday appreciates many musical genres. today, had a chance to He revealed that he used to sing in a engage him to share his love of sports choir as a young boy, and was even part and entertainment and also to talk about of a music band. the man behind the President. He said that it really depends on his mood, but pointed out jazz, Namibian SPORTS varieties, Congolese music, South African and classical music as some of Geingob shared that he loves sports the genres he listens to. because it is good for a nation’s health, “I lived for a few months in the fostering discipline, hard work and team former Zaire, now the Democratic spirit in young people. Republic of the Congo, and my He said Namibia’s sport is improving appreciation of Congolese rumba started with more inclusion of previously then. Artists like Franco, Tabu Ley disadvantaged Namibians starting to and all the greats of that era,” shared enter codes previously reserved for the Geingob. minority. “You now have black people As a university student in the United playing hockey and rugby, which is States in the 1960s, Geingob took a encouraging. Namibian rugby has course in music appreciation, studying been consistent in terms of world cup the origins of jazz, and analysing music appearances, and the team will play more broadly. “Even as a freedom again in France 2019. We have to not fghter, I found time to attend several only participate, but improve to become music shows at the legendary Apollo a contender for the last stages of the theater in New York,” he said. tournament,” said Geingob. The President asserted that he Geingob’s favourite Namibian athlete embraces Namibian music in its is track and feld Olympic medallist, diversity, stating that Namibian artists Frank Fredericks. “Four silver medals are agents of a better society. at the Olympics in Barcelona and He believes that artists are dreamers Atlanta are not a mean feat. He is a and their music should foster nation legend in that sense. Barcelona was building and not divide. FRIDAY 3 AUGUST 2018 President’s Birthday | 3

organisation and the talent of the artists on display. “The industry is coming of age, and is really contributing positively to the arts,” he said.

LIFESTYLE Geingob is an extremely well travelled person. When asked how his travels impacted his broader understanding about life and culture – and how important it is for young people to travel – he shared that there is no place like home. However, he said that travelling broadens the mind. “It brings you in contact with other cultures and civilisations. You learn tolerance and the need to embrace diversity,” he said. He also mentioned that travelling is a university in itself, and encourages young Namibians to go out there and learn about the world, and educate themselves about how the world works. “You appreciate better what you have and it makes you want to improve,” he advised. Geingob unwinds with a good book, music and always has an eye open, following news through various channels. He disclosed that he is reading three books which are by his bedside and one is in his briefcase. He is reading Thomas Piketty’s ‘Capital in the 21st Century’ and Ibrahim Mayaki’s ‘Africa’s Critical Choices’. “The third one is ‘Post-Truth’ by James Ball, a timely book in light of the disinformation that can threaten democracies,” he said. He shared that he likes pap and oshikandela and admitted that he is not a good cook but praised his wife’s cooking skills. “She hardly gets time to cook due to her schedule. But she “I like artists who are able to collaborate beyond is an expert at transforming what others have ethnicity, race and so on. I hear songs in which artists cooked,” he praised. sing in different languages, collaborating on a song. That On his relationships with his children, the is the Namibia we should promote – One Namibia, One President shared that he likes spending time Nation. We should hold hands across the board, and in with them, and having small talk with them. all industries,” said Geingob. “I fnd it interesting that when I ask what On his experience at this year’s Namibia Annual they would like to become one day when Music Awards (NAMAs), Geingob said that he was they grow up they hardly say ‘President of impressed with the sophistication, the quality of the country’,” he concluded. A Happy 77th Birthday Your Excellency Dr. Hage Geingob!

On behalf of the Board, Management and Staf of APS, we wish that your year ahead be flled with good health, success and prosperity.

Thank you for your continuous leadership and wisdom that takes our nation to greater heights. 4 | President’s Birthday FRIDAY 3 AUGUST 2018 Hage G Geingob

BORN: 3 AUGUST 1941 Medal (Swapo) for Bravery Public Appointments and Long Service • 2015 to date President • 1980 Awarded the Palmes • 2017 to date President of Academiques (Ofcer Class) Swapo by the French Government • 2012 to 2015 Prime Minister in Recognition of Valuable • 2008 to 2012 Minister of Trade Service in Education and Industry • 2007 to 2008 Chief Whip AWARDS AND HONOURS of Swapo Party (National • 2015 Conferred the Order of Assembly). Welwitschia Mirabilis • 2005 to 2017 Vice President • 2012 Awarded the Crans of People’s Montana Forum’s Prix de la Organization (Swapo) Foundation for Exceptional • 2004 Member of the Leadership International Board of • 1998 Awarded Doctorate of Governors of the Centre for Humane Letters (Honoris International Policy Causa) by the American • University of Rome EDUCATION • 1997 Awarded LL.D • 2004 (Ph.D.) (Doctorate of Laws) Honoris • 1971 - 1974 Graduate Faculty Causa by the University of of , New York Namibia (MA in International Relations) • 1995 Awarded LL.D • 1964 - 1970 Fordham (Doctorate of Laws) Honoris University (New York) Causa by the University of • 1958 - 1961 Augustineum Delhi, India Training College • 1994 Awarded LL.D Honoris Causa by Colombia College LEADERSHIP POSITIONS , Awarded the Second • 1989 Swapo Party’s Director of Highest Order Elections • 1994 – Carlos Manuel • 1990 Chairman of the de Cespedes, Awarded the Constituent Assembly of the Order of the Sun 1st Class Republic of Namibia • 1975 – 1989 Director of the POLITICAL LEADERSHIP Institute for • Governance Innovation (CIGI) Namibia (UNIN) 1971 – 1975 of Canada Political Afairs Ofcer, UN • 2003 – 2004 Executive Secretariat 1964 – 1971 Secretary of the Global SWAPO Representative at the Coalition in Washington, DC United Nations & the Americas • 1990 – 2002 (First) Prime • 1963 – 1964 Assistant Swapo Minister of the Republic Representative in Namibia Toll Free Leadership awards by the • 1998 Chairman of the 14th

Namibian Government Meeting of Experts on the NORED ELECTRICITY (PTY) LTD | PO BOX 639| ONDANGWA, NAMIBIA • 1987 Awarded Ongulumbashe United Nations Programme TEL: +264 65 2822100 | FAX : +264 65 2822141

Happy th Birthday TECHNOLOGIES 77 Mr President! Car Hire Tel: +264 65 241 236 Fax: +264 65 241 246 P O Box 15660, Oluno-Ondangwa

The most important quality that any leader must have is the ability and willingness to reciprocate the loyalty and support of his followers.

The Board, Management and staf of Profle Investment Holdings would like to celebrate another year with a special leader and wish him abundant

happiness, joy and support.

May you continue to guide our nation

UNSIFTED MAIZE MEAL Simply the Best into prosperity!

Happy Birthday Your Excellency. FRIDAY 3 AUGUST 2018 President’s Birthday | 5 Geingob– Man of the People

EGARDED throughout his illustrious political career as primus inter pares R(frst among equals) by both friend and foe, Hage Gottfried Geingob, after more than 50 years of serving the Swapo Party, now leads the Namibian people. One of Namibia’s most respected fgures, Geingob is a politician whose passion for the well-being of his fellow Namibians has earned him accolades from around the world. Moreover, his integrity, ability as a political orator and organiser, and readiness to work with people from all walks of life, sets him apart from his peers. That ability is a signifcant factor in the formulation of the policy of national reconciliation and many other sound socio- economic interventions, which Geingob, as part of the Swapo Party collective leadership under the guidance of former Presidents and Hifkepunye Pohamba, continued to execute. Geingob’s leadership skills and abilities were honed under the mentorship and guidance of Nujoma.Geingob is a man who many a time stepped in to diffuse sensitive and emotional issues which at times threatened to destabilise the country’s much-fought-for peace and stability. With a sound insight into international relations, after having served Swapo for many years at the United Nations prior to independence, along with his experience as director of the United Nations Institute of Namibia in Lusaka, Zambia, it was no surprise that the politburo of Swapo elected Geingob to spearhead the party’s 1989 campaign in the elections leading up to Namibia’s independence. His golden touch did not end after the 1989 elections. The country placed another daunting task on his shoulders with leading the process to draft the Namibian Constitution – to be fnalised in a record time. On 21 November 1989 his colleagues elected him as chairperson of the Constituent Assembly which was responsible for formulating the Namibian – Constitution. However, before a constitution could be formulated, he had to ensure that the Constituent Assembly went through a process of confdence building between the people who were known for their hatred of each other. The Constituent Assembly sowed the seeds of the principles of national reconciliation that would later become government policy. Under his chairmanship, the Constituent Assembly unanimously adopted the Namibian Constitution on 9 February 1990. Experts consider this Constitution to be one of the most progressive and democratic in Africa, if not the world. With this almost impossible task behind him, the time arrived for Namibia’s independence on 21 March 1990. Yet again, enormous responsibility and trust were placed on Geingob’s shoulders as he was appointed as the frst Prime Minister of Namibia, making him frst among his equals. He served in that capacity for 12 years and CELEBRATING 77 YEARS introduced modern management approaches to running the government. OF DECRYPTED WISDOM Following a brief stint at the Global Coalition for Africa, Geingob returned to Namibia to On this special day we have unlimited gratitude because we celebrate participate in the November 2004 parliamentary a President who has answered the call to continue leading Namibia to a elections. brighter future by sharing his wisdom and wealth of experience. On 18 April 2007, he became the party chief whip in the National Assembly and in mid-2007, he once again became a member of the party’s So we raise our glasses and toast to our nation’s leader, politburo. Happy 77th Birthday Your Excellency, Dr. Hage Geingob. In November, a few weeks before the party congress, the politburo named Geingob as its From the Board, Management and Staf. sole candidate for the position of Swapo vice president. He was elected to the position on 29 November 2007.This move was widely believed to be intended to ensure that Geingob would be Swapo’s candidate for the next presidential elections. In April 2008, Pohamba appointed Geingob minister of trade and after the 2012 party congress he became the party vice president. /TN838 Pohamba also appointed him as Prime Minister of Namibia and when the former President stepped down in 2014 from active politics, Geingob took charge of the party. Last year he was elected as Swapo president at the party congress. * This article was adopted from Hage Geingob’s 2012 campaign material compiled by his team. 6 | President’s Birthday FRIDAY 3 AUGUST 2018

HERE has never been an Oshiwambo we have also declared war on corruption and its President. And therefore, there will never root causes. – March 2016 The Quotable Tbe no non-Oshiwambo President in future. I am committed to the policy of transparency and There have only been Namibian Presidents. And in this regard I would like to inform all business in future there will only be Namibian Presidents. – people and entrepreneurs from inside and outside November 2012 of the country – Don’t try to negotiate with me Hage Geingob I take this oath on behalf of all Namibians and on tenders and deals. There is no leeway for promise to serve all Namibians without exception. negotiating business deals, contracts or tenders with No Namibian must feel left out. –March 2015 the President of this Republic. – March 2016 The prerequisites for a prosperous nation include “There are those who claim that Swapo has good constitutions, peace and democracy. We are, changed, maybe they themselves have changed, but however, aware that people don’t eat constitutions, Swapo remains the same,” – March 2017 peace or democracy. People eat decent food, live It is no secret that we currently fnd ourselves in under decent shelter and enjoy decent employment. tumultuous times. The geo-political climate is in a – March 2015 state of fux, the global economy is at acrossroads, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR PRESIDENT All of us must play our part in the success of this structural inequality is manifesting itself in the most beautiful house we call Namibia. We need to renew heartbreaking ways and the future is fraught with it from time to time by undergoing renovations uncertainty. All these are contributing factors to the and extensions. I therefore invite the youth of this tension which has engulfed many of our liberation Dr Hage Geingob country to bring their ingenuity, innovation and movements in Africa. – November 2017 idealism to contribute to building a solid Namibian Although we are faced with the massive house. The journey ahead will be full of excitement. challenge of providing adequate and affordable – March 2015 serviced urban land, housing and improved The mark of a leader is the ability to cast a sanitation, we must realise that these challenges are vision for his people and get them to believe in not insurmountable. We will hold hands and stay that vision. It is important for people to believe in on course, knowing that although it may take some a vision because a leader cannot achieve a vision time and huge resources to address the needs of singlehandedly but only through a collective effort the people, through our common sense of purpose, in which everyone pulls in the same direction, we will continue to deliver, deliver and deliver. – Harambee. Therefore, a great amount of time October 2017 during my frst 100 days as President was dedicated Africa awaits the emergence of young leaders, towards outlining my vision to all Cabinet members who, following in the revolutionary footsteps as well as other important stakeholders who play of icons of the independence struggle, and by an integral role in the rolling out of government embracing the spirit and ideals of pan-Africanism, programmes. In essence, this involves the entire will become the bastions of unity, innovation and nation. – June 2015 development. – May 2017 It pains me to see the conditions under which so Swapo does not want greedy business people 77 many of our uniformed men and women live, and who want to get rich overnight through illegal ways Years if need be, we will increase resources to see to it and corruption. Because you are Swapo members, that they are provided with decent accommodation you think everything (tenders) will be given to you. beftting of their sacrifces and service. This also – March 2017 applies to our teachers, nurses, doctors and other We have been given a mandate, by the people professionals who selfessly serve the Land of the of Namibia, to govern and deliver on the promises Brave. – March 2016 which we outlined in our election manifesto. – NamibRe would like to wish His Excellency President Dr Hage Geingob a wonderful If we don’t pull in the same direction, then we February 2018 77th Birthday! Your Leadership and guidance will forever be cherished, as you risk the unenviable situation of pulling ourselves It will be a sad day when our discard their motvate us to keep moving towards developing a greater naton. apart. – March 2016 aloofness and descend into the melee of politics. We wish you happiness, good health and a long life! This year, 2016, is the year of implementation. Let us therefore ensure that that day never comes. Along with our declaration of war against poverty, – February 2018

Happy Birthday Mr. President!

On your special day we wish you great health and a great life.

Thank you for being a courageous leader and a true visionary. May unity, peace and stability continue to lighten your path.

From the Board, Management and Staff of Kalahari Holdings. FRIDAY 3 AUGUST 2018 President’s Birthday | 7 Geingob’s Early Years AT THE HEIGHTS ... Naming of Hage Heights in Swakop in January 1998. With him is former wife Loine Geingos, Anita Bester (who suggested the name) and former Swakopmund mayor Daniel Kamho.

STEPPING BACK …Hage Geingob the citizen does not need a second invitation to the dance foor. He he is seen going through the steps with late former parliamentarian Nora Schimming- Chase. AGE Gottfried Geingob was born in the HGrootfontein district and received his early education at under the Bantu education system. Thereafter he enrolled at Augustineum Training College in 1958 where most of today’s prominent political leaders of Namibia received their education. REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA In 1960, the colonial authorities expelled him from Augustineum for having participated in a march HAPPY 77TH BIRTHDAY YOUR to protest against the poor quality of education. EXCELLENCY DR. HAGE G. GEINGOB He was, however, readmitted and able to fnish the teacher-training programme in 1961. Subsequently, he took up a 3 August 1941 teaching position at the Tsumeb Primary School but soon On behalf of the entire Nation, the Government of the discovered that the atrocities Republic of Namibia wishes His Excellency, President committed by the then Hage G. Geingob a happy and joyful 77th Birthday. regime needed to be challenged and resisted being an unwilling instrument in perpetuating the As we celebrate your birthday, we cherish Bantu education system as a your charismatic, democratic and teacher. inclusive leadership style. As a result, at the end of the school year, he left his job to seek freedom for his people and Your resoluteness to fghting poverty, inequality and knowledge and instruction that towards nation building is testimony of your commitment would eventually help him change to making Namibia a prosperous and inclusive society. the apartheid system. With three of his colleagues, In the spirit of “Harambee”, we continue to rely Geingob walked across the Kalahari into Botswana to escape on your wisdom and guidance in the apartheid system. building a democratic inclusive Namibian From Botswana, he was House, and driving this nation scheduled to go to Dar es Salaam towards a prosperous future on a plane chartered by the African National Congress. for the beneft of the current and However, the South African future generations. apartheid regime blew up the plane when it was still on the ground May God bless you and using a time bomb that went off prematurely. grant you more wisdom, valor Subsequently, the apartheid and good health to continue regime also cracked down on the building the Namibian House. ‘underground railway’ used by the Namibians to go into exile. As a result, Geingob stayed on in Botswana where Swapo appointed him assistant representative to Botswana (1963-64). In 1964 he left for the United States to study. There he obtained a BA degree from Fordham and an MA degree in international relations from The New School, New York. In 1964, he was appointed Swapo representative to the United Nations and to the Americas and servedin that capacity until 1971. Those were the years of crusade for him – crusade for freedom and independence. He travelled extensively, crisscrossing the United States, speaking to people and addressing gatherings. Happy Birthday He and his colleagues were not always successful, but they found some converts who helped them keep the Namibian cause alive at the United Nations until the United Nations General Assembly Your Excellency! recognised Swapo as the sole and authentic representative of the Namibian people. 8 | President’s Birthday FRIDAY 3 AUGUST 2018 /SF847

Your experience navigates us through the waves of change. Your courage sails us towards the broad horizon of possibilities. And your leadership keeps our hope alive in the future of Namibia.

For these reasons and more, the Board, Management and Staf of Seafower Group of Companies would like to wish Your Excellency Dr. Hage Geingob a Happy 77th Birthday.