Geingob advised to put his health first

President Hage Geingob has been advised to put his health first as analysts emphasise the high demand of his office.

This comes after the president on Friday refuted social media allegations that he collapsed during a Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting in Luanda, Angola.

Presidential spokesperson Alfred Hengari underscored that the president is in a state of wellness given that he chaired a meeting for nine hours.

“Yes, the president is in good health. The president chaired the ordinary organ summit from 11h00 until around 20h00 on 16 August,” Hengari said.

Geingob was attending the SADC summit where he handed over the chair of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation in Angola on Thursday.

Allegations were made that the president collapsed after the anthems were sung during this meeting.

“President Geingob has been the most transparent about his health, both when he is in good shape and when he is not,” Hengari said.
Geingob on Friday denied the collapse at the meeting when he told the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation on arrival back home that he was in no danger while singing the SADC anthem.

The president recently underwent a minor heart procedure in South Africa but swiftly returned to office.

A week afterwards, Geingob was back in a local hospital for a two-day stay as part of his second follow-up.

Political analyst Rui Tyitende said the presidency is a demanding job and the health of the president is crucial in executing his constitutional obligations.

“However, in Africa, there are 13 presidents that passed away while in office and they were all rumoured to have been ill and undergoing medical treatment,” he said.

He said the average age of these national leaders was 63, and president Geingob is 82.

“The Office of the President should be applauded for being transparent about the health of the head of state.

“Nonetheless, this transparency should just not be for show as there would be serious repercussions if the head of state is medically unfit to carry out his duties,” he added.

Tyitende believes this can lead to an administrative paralysis in government.

“And if the president’s health condition is more than meets the eye, then he should resign for his own sake and that of the nation,” he said.

Analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said Geingob’s job is not more important than his health.

“The presidency is not really more important than an individual’s health, than the president’s health. So, I think he should listen to his health,” he said.

He advised Geingob to make an informed decision about his health.

“I think it’s important for all of us that we must listen to our bodies, we must listen to our health and make decisions accordingly,” he said.
Kamwanyah did, however, admit that Geingob has to assess his own health.

“To decide whether he can stay and finish his term, whether he can do the job as required and demanded by the heavy load of the presidency portfolio in other countries,” he said.