Erongo governor Neville Andre says four billboards will be erected to honour president Hage Geingob.
The billboards, sponsored by the private sector will be placed along the B2 highway at road sections between Karibib and Usakos, Usakos and Arandis, Arandis and Swakopmund and Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.
“These locations are chosen for their visibility and the potential to reach a wide audience, ensuring that the message of remembrance for late president Geingob is seen by many.
The billboards will feature Geingob’s image alongside befitting messages aim to remind residents and visitors alike of the late president’s enduring legacy, said Andre on Wednesday.
He highlighted the collaborative effort between the regional government and the private sector, particularly the mining industry, to pay tribute to the late president’s legacy.
Andre said major mining companies, including Swakop Uranium and Rössing Uranium, Langer Heinrich and Navachab, among others, will cover the expenses as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives.
The initiative is part of a broader 11-part programme to honour Geingob, with a series of memorial services to be held.
Educational institutions across the region will also play a role in the mourning period, with the directorate of education coordinating memorial services in schools, which have already begun.
“This initiative ensures that the Namibian child is also given an opportunity to honour president Geingob’s legacy.”
The lighting of memorial lights in all seven towns will take place on Friday, sponsored by ErongoRed.
This symbolises the unity Geingob worked to foster.
Andre will light the main memorial light at Swakopmund at 19h00.
The elderly, who the late president supported during his tenure with several pension adjustments, will also stage a memorial service at the Multipurpose Centre at Swakopmund on Sunday, 17 February at 10h00.
A tree planting ceremony is scheduled for Monday, 19 February at 09h00, where the new offices of the Erongo Regional Council will be constructed.
“This act of planting trees as living tributes to the late president is to maintain his legacy for generations to come,” Andre said.
A public lecture titled: ‘The modest leadership and rich legacy of late president Dr Hage Geingob’ will be held on Monday, 19 February at 15h00 at the Walvis Bay Town Hall.
Andre invited the youth to engage with panelists who worked closely with Geingob.
A moment of reflection takes place on Tuesday, 20 February, with a parade of emergency trucks bearing the portrait of Geingob through each town in the region. This will allow residents to pay their respects in a personal way, Andre said.
The culmination of these events will be the main regional memorial service on Thursday, 22 February at Vineta Stadium in Swakopmund, where residents are encouraged to bring flowers in homage to Geingob.
“I am inviting all citizens to participate regardless of race or culture – president Geingob was a president for all.”
In addition, the main memorial and burial service on 24 and 25 February will be livestreamed to ensure all residents, regardless of their location, can partake in these occasions.
Andre requested that shebeen and bar owners observe the mourning period by limiting noise and operating hours to reflect the deep respect and solemnity of the occasion.
Erongo Regional Council chief regional officer Mupenzeni Ntelamo said rural settlements in the region will not be left out of participating in the programme.
“Our constituency councillors will ensure that their communities can also commemorate the late president at the various constituency offices at the settlements.”
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