Staff Reporter<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Former President Nangolo Mbumba has urged new African leaders to follow the late President Hage Geingob’s example and continue building resilient governance systems that are democratic, developmental and ethical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“He set a benchmark for future leaders on our continent. By introducing the third wave of African leadership, or what we call ‘New Africa’, Dr Geingob challenges new African leaders to continue building ever more resilient governance systems that are democratic, developmental and ethical. Our assignment is clear: it’s to take what Dr Geingob has left us and to build the type of institutions and develop the type of processes befitting 21st-century Africa \u2013 an Africa that is united and driven by a single-minded desire to attain shared prosperity for all its people,” Mbumba said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He made the remarks during the inaugural town hall conversation on the legacy of the late President Geingob, held in Windhoek in honour of what would have been his 85th birthday. The event aimed to honour and reflect on the late president’s legacy and his contribution to governance in Namibia and across Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mbumba said one of Geingob’s defining contributions was the Namibian House concept, which promoted national unity by encouraging citizens from all communities to work together towards shared development goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Dr Geingob’s Namibian House concept represents more than a political statement or a slogan; rather, it emphasises that citizens emanating from different communities share a common responsibility towards the pursuit of national development objectives,” Mbumba said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that Geingob viewed nation-building as a continuous process requiring deliberate effort from every citizen, not only those in leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“He understood that nation-building is a long-term process, and as he stated, ‘We should constantly remind ourselves that nation-building is not an event. It is a process that calls for continuous work and deliberate actions on the part of each one of us,'” Mbumba continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He noted that the late President Geingob believed that good governance can only exist if it is reinforced by socio-economic development. He added that the late president regarded this philosophy as relevant not only to Namibia but to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Dr Geingob’s approach to governance was driven by his belief that, for Africa to respond to the demands of the modern world and the needs of her people, it requires Africans to be the drivers of the development of governance architecture across the continent as a means to enable African governments to act in the best interests of the continent and the citizens of Africa. He posited the idea that, through focusing on the development of efficient and effective processes, systems and institutions instead of personalities, Africa could guarantee the sustainability of its governance architecture. At the core of Dr Geingob’s philosophy was the belief that effective governance can only exist if it is reinforced by socio-economic development,” Mbumba added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He further noted that Geingob consistently championed peace and stability in Africa, believing unity among leaders was essential for the continent’s progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Case in point, on 20 October 2018, Dr Geingob attended Kenya’s Mashujaa Day celebration in Kakamega County as a special guest of the then President Uhuru Kenyatta. Seizing the moment, Dr Geingob, instead of delivering his prepared statement, invited both President Uhuru Kenyatta and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to the podium. Holding up their hands, he lauded the two leaders for putting aside their intense political rivalry to work together for national stability, calling it a vital lesson in African unity. And, in so doing, Dr Geingob demonstrated his astute statesmanship and unique ability to turn beliefs and ideas into concrete actions,” Mbumba continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He emphasised that the late President Geingob’s contribution to Africa’s governance architecture cannot be attributed solely to policy, a constitution or public office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Through his exemplary and transformative leadership, he was able to demonstrate that governance is ultimately about building robust institutions, fostering inclusive development and strengthening public trust,” Mbumba said.
He therefore urged Africans to follow the example set by Geingob’s legacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“As we ponder the legacy of Dr Geingob and his contribution to the African governance architecture, let us remember that it is not a legacy of processes, systems and institutions, but a legacy that, at home and across the continent, continues to this day to have a meaningful impact on people, producing tangible and transformative outcomes in their lives. On this day, as we remember the man, the legacy and the myth that was Dr Hage Gottfried Geingob, we remember an African statesman who possessed unique flair and an innate ability to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary,” Mbumba added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Photo: NBC Digital News<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Staff Reporter Former President Nangolo Mbumba has urged new African leaders to follow the late President Hage Geingob’s example and continue building resilient governance systems that are democratic, developmental and ethical. “He set a benchmark for future leaders on our continent. By introducing the third wave of African leadership, or what we call ‘New Africa’, …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":398790,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-398789","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n