The Namibian Defence Force has released detailed information on ceremonial processions for the funeral of president Hage Geingob.
Following the untimely demise of president Hage Geingob on 4 February 2024, a state funeral is accorded in honour of the late president.
In this regard the chief of the defence force ordered the Namibian Defence Force to prepare and conduct the state funeral on 25 February 2024, with full military honours.
The aim of this statement is to inform on the conduct of the state funeral by the Namibian Defence Force.
MOBILISATION OF TROOPS
About 2 000 Namibian Defence Force troops from all arms of services namely army, air force and navy have been mobilised to execute the conduct of the state funeral.
ORGANISATION
During the conduct of the state funeral the participating troops will be organised as follows:
a. Guard of honour
b. Silent guard
c. Escort
d. Route lining
e. Pall-bearers
f. Vigil guards
g. Bearers
h. Chaplaincy.
CONDUCT OF STATE FUNERAL
The state funeral will be conducted in three stages:
a. Ceremonial route procession and body lying in state at Parliament Gardens on 23 February 2024.
b. Memorial service and body lying in state at Independence Stadium on 24 February 2024.
c. Burial ceremony on 25 February 2024.
DETAILED ACTIVITIES
23 February: The NDF will escort the body of president Hage Geingob on a ceremonial route around Windhoek for the general public to bid farewell and honour his legacy.
The ceremonial route will be:
- The procession will start at State House and will proceed as follows: 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 -Sam Nujoma Drive and lastly to Casa Rosalia. From Casa Rosalia the body will lie in state at Parliament Gardens on 23 February to allow the general public to pay their last respect to the late president.
The timings of the ceremonial route procession:
First leg: 12h00 – 12h10 from State House to David Hosea Meroro Road via Jan Jonker Street.
Second leg: 12h10 – 12h15 David Hosea Meroro Road to Hendrik Witbooi Drive.
Third leg: 12h15 – 12h20 Hendrik Witbooi Drive to Moses Garoeb Street.
Fourth leg: 12h20 – 12h30 Moses Garoeb Street to Winnie Madikizela Mandela Road.
Fifth Leg: 13h30 – 13h35 Winnie Madikizela Mandela Road through Independence Avenue to Sam Nujoma Drive.
Detailed time spent in Independence Avenue is as follows:
12h35 – 12h45 passing Soweto Market to Katutura Shoprite.
12h45 – 12h55 Katutura Shoprite to Fire Brigade Circle.
12h55 -13h10 Fire Brigade Circle to central business district.
13h10 – 13h15 Central business district via Avani Hotel to Sam Nujoma Drive (Designated area for parliamentarians and other dignitaries).
Sixth leg: 13h15 – 13h35 Sam Nujoma Drive passing St Paul’s College to Casa Rosalia.
Seventh leg: 17h35 – 18h00 from Casa Rosalia to Parliament Gardens.
It should be noted that the body will be ready for viewing at Parliament Gardens from 18h30, 23 February 2024, until 11h30, 24 February.
On 24 February the procession will move from Parliament Gardens to Independence Stadium for the memorial service, thereafter the body will lie in state.
The following route will be used:
The procession will start at Parliament Gardens and slide into Robert Mugabe Avenue – Sam Nujoma Drive – Hosea Kutako Drive – Auas Road – Sean McBride Street – Liechtenstein Street – Softball Street – Rugby Street and expected to arrive at Independence Stadium at 13h45, 24 February.
25 February: 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 09h15 through Rugby Street – Softball Street – Wika Street – Sean McBride Street – Frank Fredericks Street – Auas Road – B1 Road leading to Rehoboth, then arrive at Heroes’ Acre at 09h45.
The aforesaid roads will be temporarily closed during the procession.
*Brigadier general Remigius Kalimba is the deputy chief of staff – joint operations, of the Namibian Defence Force
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