00:00 In a solemn moment for Namibia, President H. Gengob aged 82 passed away in a hospital
00:07 on Sunday, Jan. 4, following a recent diagnosis of cancer.
00:13 His death marks the end of an era for a leader who had been at the helm of the Southern African
00:19 nation since 2015.
00:21 Gengob, a resilient figure in Namibian politics, survived prostate cancer back in 2015, the
00:30 same year he assumed office as president.
00:33 The nation, known for its mining prominence with substantial diamond deposits and lithium
00:39 resources, now mourns the loss of a leader who played a pivotal role in shaping Namibia's
00:46 destiny.
00:47 Vice President Nangolo Bumba steps into the role in this transitional period until the
00:53 upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in the end of the year.
00:58 Gengob's death leaves a void in a country that has experienced significant developments
01:04 under his leadership.
01:06 The presidency announced Gengob's passing on social media, not specifying the cause
01:11 of the death.
01:12 However, it was revealed last month that the president had sought treatment in the United
01:17 States for cancerous cells following a routine medical check-up.
01:22 Born in 1941, Gengob's political journey began long before Namibia gained independence
01:28 from South Africa in 1990.
01:31 He chaired the body that drafted Namibia's constitution and became its first prime minister,
01:37 a position he held until 2002.
01:41 Gengob's commitment to the nation extended to his service as trade and industry minister
01:46 and a return to the role of prime minister in 2012.
01:51 Gengob secured a significant victory in the 2014 election, garnering 87% of the vote.
01:58 However, the 2019 polls posed a challenge as he narrowly avoided a run-off amidst a
02:04 government bribery scandal involving allegations of kickbacks in exchange for fishing quotas.
02:11 Beyond electoral matters, Gengob acknowledged the ongoing disparities in wealth distribution,
02:17 especially concerning Namibia's white minority.
02:20 In addressing the complexities of racial divides, he reflected on the challenges of creating
02:26 a more inclusive economic landscape.
02:29 President H. Gengob prayed his last at Lady Pohamba Hospital in Windhoek, where he had
02:35 been receiving treatment from his medical team.
02:39 India now stands at a crossroads, reflecting on a leader's legacy who sought to break the
02:45 chains of injustice and build a nation of shared prosperity.
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