President Geingob saddened by the death of Axali Doeseb

President Hage Geingob says he is saddened by the death of Axali Doeseb.

The composer of the Namibian national anthem, Doeseb, died this morning at the Lady Pohamba Private Hospital in Windhoek following his admission last night.

Doeseb is the man who gave birth to Namibia’s national anthem and its pride following a song competition.

Records have it that a number of entries were received then, and two nominations, including his, reached the final stage.

“I studied music, and I trusted myself that I was doing a good job. I knew and trusted myself that I was going to be the winner of the competition,” says Doeseb.

And he was right. His song and an anthem to Namibia, Land of the Brave,” were adopted in December 1991.

The work of the musicologist is engraved in the government gazette—the one that promotes him every time it is sung.
 
Four years ago, when the nbc News spoke to him, Doeseb said every time he listened to the anthem, the feeling of it equated to the joy of a mother who just gave birth to a child after years of waiting.

His experience in exile during the liberation struggle also aided the composer’s work.

“During the struggle, I was also one of the people who was out of the country. I met our friend on the 26th of every year in Sweden during the struggle time when the president of Swapo today, the founding father, was addressing us and we could communicate, so I knew what direction the future and now the national anthem could take.”

And he shares his talent whenever an opportunity presents itself.

The composer and artist of note, one could say, was honored with a lifetime achievement at the 2014 annual music awards.

President Hage Geingob said Doeseb’s contributions in building the nation shine bright and shall therefore not be forgotten.

Beyond his musical endeavors, he was a respected figure and an advocate for the development of Namibian music and culture, says the president.
 
Doeseb leaves behind his wife, Amalia, and five children, and the Head of State extended a message of condolence to the family on behalf of the Namibian people and the government.