I refuse to die now– Shaningwa

Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa has dismissed rumours circulating on social media that she is admitted in a hospital and is in critical condition following the death of president Hage Geingob on Sunday.

Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Shaningwa said information about her hospitalisation is false.

She addressed the matter after paying tribute to Geingob, who served as Namibia’s president for nine years.

“There is breaking news going around that I am admitted and people are only waiting for a pronouncement. I would like to make it categorically clear that I am going nowhere. I have to carry on and do what Dr Hage Geingob could have done. [sic] I refuse to die now,” said Shaningwa, who was dressed in black in remembrance of Geingob.

Geingob died at the age of 82 while receiving cancer treatment in a Windhoek hospital.

Then vice president Nangolo Mbumba announced Geingob’s death.

“By his side was his wife and his dear children,” said Mbumba.

Mbumba has since taken over as the country’s president.

Geingob became president in 2015 and was serving his second term. He served as the country’s first prime minister from 1990 to 2002, under former president Sam Nujoma’s administration.

Geingob has battled health issues in recent months. On 8 January, he announced that he was diagnosed with cancer.