Geingob, Monica say ‘I do’

PRESIDENT-ELECT Hage Geingob officially married his sweetheart Monica Geingos, née Kalondo, at a low-key Valentine’s Day wedding ceremony at a Windhoek hotel on Saturday.

Shortly after the wedding festivities that went on into the night, the First Lady-in-Waiting, who will now officially be addressed as Mrs Geingos, took to social media and officially announced herself as “Ausiro Monica Geingos”.

“We are most grateful and humbled by all the love and support we have received,” the couple said after the wedding celebrations, attended by 250 guests comprising close family, friends and comrades, including the couple’s children from their previous unions.

The church ceremony and reception took place outside the hotel in a white marquee adorned with linen, white roses and petals.

In keeping with the Oshiwambo culture, the bride opted for a traditional but fashionable red, pink and purple wedding gown as she was walked down the aisle by her father Salomo Kalondo, while her groom donned a navy blue Mao suit, finishing off the look with a matching hat he wore after the ceremony.

Guests feasted on traditional food and beverages and also enjoyed some traditional music performed by traditional groups and a choir.

Reverend Ngeno Nakamhela of the Inner City Lutheran Church where Geingob is a member, officiated at the ceremony.

Some of the guests at the wedding described it as “a very normal wedding” like any other.

The couple took some of their first official wedding photos at the old State House which now hosts part of the Office of the Prime Minister.

Although some notable invited guests from the business and political sectors such as President Hifikepunye Pohamba, the Founding President Sam Nujoma and RDP’s Hidipo Hamutenya were spotted in the crowd, some of Geingob’s inner circle comrades were absent, including local businessmen Desmond Amunyela and Knowledge Katti.

Law Reform and Development Commission chairperson Sacky Shanghala was also nowhere to be seen at the wedding.

Other honoured guests included some comrades from the Swapo Party, among them finance minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, trade and industry minister Calle Schlettwein, retired politician Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, Swapo secretary general Nangolo Mbumba, lawyer Sisa Namandje, the Tilahun family, as well as some members of the Ondonga royal family.

Speaking of their limited list of invited guests, the couple last week said the challenge of formulating a guest list which reflects their extensive support system of people who have played a role in their personal and professional lives, has proven impossible, due to the large numbers of people they regard as important and valuable to them.