At least 27 African leaders, including 18 sitting heads of state, have confirmed their attendance at the state funeral of the late former president Hage Geingob. The funeral will take place on Sunday, February 25, 2024, at Heroes’ Acre outside Windhoek, while the memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 24, at Independence Stadium.
As part of the national mourning period, a Musical Tribute will be held today, in memory of the late statesman, from 4 pm until late.
Following the untimely demise of President Hage Geingob on February 4, 2024, a state funeral will be accorded to honor the late president. About 2,000 Namibian Defence Force troops from all arms of services namely army, air force, and navy have been mobilized to conduct the state funeral.
During the state funeral, participating troops will be organized as follows:
a. Guard of honor
b. Silent guard
c. Escort
d. Route lining
e. Pallbearers
f. Vigil guards
g. Bearers
h. Chaplaincy.
The state funeral will be conducted in three stages:
a. Ceremonial route procession and body lying in state at Parliament Gardens on February 23, 2024.
b. Memorial service and body lying in state at Independence Stadium on February 24, 2024.
c. Burial ceremony on February 25, 2024.
The procession will start at State House and will proceed via Laurent Desire Kabila Street, Robert Mugabe Avenue, Jan Jonker Street, Rehobother Road, David Hosea Meroro Road, Hendrik Witbooi Drive, Moses //Garoeb Street, Winnie Madikizela Mandela Road, Independence Avenue, and Sam Nujoma Drive, and finally to Casa Rosalia. From Casa Rosalia, the body will lie in state at Parliament Gardens on February 23, allowing the general public to pay their last respects to the late president.
The timings of the ceremonial route procession are as follows:
– First leg: 12 pm to 12:10 pm from State House to David Hosea Meroro Road via Jan Jonker Street.
– Second leg: 12:10 pm to 12:15 pm David Hosea Meroro Road to Hendrik Witbooi Drive.
– Third leg: 12:15 pm to 12:20 pm Hendrik Witbooi Drive to Moses Garoeb Street.
– Fourth leg: 12:20 pm to 12:30 pm Moses Garoeb Street to Winnie Madikizela Mandela Road.
– Fifth Leg: 1:30 pm to 1:35 pm Winnie Madikizela Mandela Road through Independence Avenue to Sam Nujoma Drive.
Detailed time spent in Independence Avenue is as follows:
– 12:35 pm to 12:45 pm passing Soweto Market to Katutura Shoprite.
– 12:45 pm to 12:55 pm Katutura Shoprite to Fire Brigade Circle.
– 12:55 pm to 1:10 pm Fire Brigade Circle to the central business district.
– 1:10 pm to 1:15 pm Central business district via Avani Hotel to Sam Nujoma Drive (designated area for parliamentarians and other dignitaries).
– Sixth leg: 1:15 pm to 1:35 pm Sam Nujoma Drive passing St Paul’s College to Casa Rosalia.
– Seventh leg: 5:35 pm to 6 pm from Casa Rosalia to Parliament Gardens.
It should be noted that the body will be ready for viewing at Parliament Gardens from 6:30 pm on February 23, 2024, until 11:30 am on February 24, 2024.
On February 24, the procession will move from Parliament Gardens to Independence Stadium for the memorial service, and the body will lie in state.
The following route will be used:
The procession will start at Parliament Gardens and then proceed to Robert Mugabe Avenue, Sam Nujoma Drive, Hosea Kutako Drive, Auas Road, Sean McBride Street, Liechtenstein Street, Softball Street, Rugby Street, and is expected to arrive at Independence Stadium at 1:45 pm on February 24.
On February 25, the procession will move from Independence Stadium to Heroes’ Acre for burial. The following route will be used:
The body will leave Independence Stadium at 9:15 am through Rugby Street, Softball Street, Wika Street, Sean McBride Street, Frank Fredericks Street, Auas Road, B1 Road leading to Rehoboth, and arrive at Heroes’ Acre at 9:45 am.
It should be noted that the aforesaid roads will be temporarily closed during the procession.
