Casa Rosalia bids Geingob farewell

Cries echoed at Casa Rosalia as former first lady Monica Geingos and the Geingob family received the body of president Hage Geingob at the couple’s private residence on Friday.

After Geingob’s body was driven through Windhoek in a military procession, it went home to Casa Rosalia, on the eastern outskirts of Windhoek, for the last time.

Geingos was consoled by current first lady Sustjie Mbumba and vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

As the casket entered the gates of Casa Rosalia, Geingob’s family members and friends started weeping.

In the background, male family members were softly chanting.

Moments before Geingob’s casket arrived at the couple’s private residence, Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa burst into tears.

The Namibian Defence Force, which was responsible for the body of its commander-in-chief, carried the casket into the house, where four soldiers guarded it.

The president’s body was subsequently moved to Parliament Gardens.

Politicians from all corners of the country gathered at Casa Rosalia, including former minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, Armas Amukwiyu, and ambassador Margaret Mensah-Williams.

Inner-City Lutheran Congregation pastor Brian Mbazuvara encouraged the Geingob family in a short speech.

He said Geingob’s death and burial both being on a Sunday is symbolic.

“It means something to me,” he said.

The former first lady and children were given some time alone with Geingob’s body to say their final goodbyes.