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Sunday, 6 September 2026
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Sunday, 6 September 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Monica Geingos

Also known as: former first lady Monica Geingos · H.E. Geingos · Former first lady · madam Monica Geingos · madame Monica Geingos · first lady Monica Geingos · 3rd First Lady · Dr Monica Geingos

Former First Lady, founder of One Economy Foundation and #BeFree Movement Project, appointed Board Chair of global maternal health alliance PMNCH.

2019-08-072026-09-06
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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. March 2026

  2. Informanté

    Monica Geingos received Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy from University of Johannesburg

    Source

    “THE Third First Lady of Namibia, Monica Geingos, recently received an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy (Honoris Causa) from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in recognition of her work in driving social development, championing youth and gender equity across Africa, and using economics and governance to deliver real, evidence-based change.”

    Geingos receives honorary doctorate from University of Johannesburg for leadership in social development

  3. Informanté

    Monica Geingos is founder of One Economy Foundation and #BeFree Movement Project

    Source

    “She is the founder of the One Economy Foundation and the #BeFree Movement Project, which focuses on youth sexual health and HIV/AIDS awareness.”

    Geingos receives honorary doctorate from University of Johannesburg for leadership in social development

  4. The Namibian

    Monica Geingos says she will not call herself a doctor until she works towards finalising her own PhD

    Source

    “Former first lady and One Economy Foundation founder Monica Geingos says she will not call herself a doctor until she works towards finalising her own PhD.”

    I will not call myself doctor until I earn it – Monica Geingos

  5. The Namibian

    Monica Geingos received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Johannesburg

    Source

    “She said this after receiving an honourary doctorate degree from the University of Johannesburg in South Africa.”

    I will not call myself doctor until I earn it – Monica Geingos
  6. February 2026

  7. The Namibian

    Geingob's state-funded retirement house has been passed on to Monica Geingos

    Source

    “Geingob's state-funded retirement house at Swakopmund has been passed on to his wife, Monica Geingos.”

    Editorial: A Donkey-Cart Economy, Mercedes-Style Presidential Retirements

  8. The Namibian

    Geingob's widow Monica Geingos said her husband was a good man who rejected hypocrisy

    Source

    “Geingob's widow Monica Geingos said her husband was a good man who rejected hypocrisy and embraced his own imperfections, remaining the same person in both his public and private life.”

    Dad was an avid reader– Geingob’s daughter

  9. New Era

    Former first lady Monica Geingos said Geingob's legacy belongs to entire Namibian nation, not single individual

    Source

    “She said Geingob's legacy does not belong to a single individual, but to the entire Namibian nation.”

    Editorial –  Geingob blossoms even in death

  10. New Era

    Monica Geingos has said the legacy of late president Hage Geingob belongs to the entire Namibian nation

    Source

    “Former first lady Monica Geingos has said the legacy of the late president Hage Geingob does not belong to a single individual, but to the entire Namibian nation.”

    ‘Namibians own Geingob’

  11. Informanté

    Monica Geingos attended remembrance ceremony at Heroes' Acre as Geingob's widow and former first lady

    Source

    “His widow and former first lady, Monica Geingos, the former first lady, Susie Mbumba, and Vicky Toivo ya Toivo, the widow of liberation icon Hermann Toivo ya Toivo, took their place next to the gravesite.”

    The nation remembers President Geingob

  12. New Era

    Monica Geingos launched the Dr Hage Geingob Fellows initiative

    Source

    “Former first lady and co-chairperson of Yetu, Monica Geingos, launched the initiative.”

    Geingob honoured in Kigali
Society

Geingos denies housing promise to 2020 assault victim family

The News

Former First Lady Monica Geingos has clarified that her documented response to the 2020 killing of Andy Kazekondjo and assault of his sister involved psychological and emotional support, not a commitment to build the family a house. An activist recently sought an update on what she described as a housing pledge made by Geingos' office, noting the family had reportedly returned to the original house where the assault occurred.

2 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 2 September

  1. Geingos denies housing promise to 2020 assault victim family

    Former First Lady Monica Geingos has clarified that her documented response to the 2020 killing of Andy Kazekondjo and assault of his sister involved psychological and emotional support, not a commitment to build the family a house. An activist recently sought an update on what she described as a housing pledge made by Geingos' office, noting the family had reportedly returned to the original house where the assault occurred.

    2 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 19 August

  1. First Gentleman launches DEN Impact Foundation for boys, young men

    The Denga Epaphras Ndaitwah (DEN) Impact Foundation, established by First Gentleman retired Lieutenant General Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, was officially launched to empower Namibia's boys and young men through education, sport, agriculture, vocational training and mentorship. The foundation's four key pillars are agriculture, sport, education, and vocational and technical training.

    19 August 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 17 August

  1. African feminists call for stronger financing and political action

    At the African Feminism Forum in Windhoek, speakers including former first lady Monica Geingos called for better financing, leadership, and social protection to advance women's rights, with focus on care work, debt, taxation, and financial inclusion. The discussion also addressed women's political leadership, economic structures, and the Maputo Protocol as a framework for African women to claim their rights.

    17 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 5 August

  1. Economic inequality strongest predictor of pandemic response

    New research published in the New England Journal of Medicine, co-authored by Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz and others including Monica Geingos, finds that economic inequality rather than traditional measures like laboratory capacity is the strongest predictor of how countries respond to health crises, arguing that technical capacity alone is insufficient without addressing inequality.

    5 August 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 5 July

  1. Geingos urges young women to embrace Damara culture with pride

    Former first lady Monica Geingos told graduates of the Îsabedi Cultural Training Programme to be proud of their culture while distinguishing cultural pride from tribalism. She highlighted the Horokhoes traditional dress and encouraged young women to invest in their confidence and self-esteem.

    5 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 15 June

  1. Lil-Lets donates 6,000 sanitary pad packs to Namibian organisations

    South African brand Lil-Lets donated 6,000 sanitary pad packs and five menstrual corners to the One Economy Foundation and partner organisations including Girl Up Namibia, Havana Charity Work Foundation, Lidar Foundation, and the Zambezi Girl Child Foundation to support menstrual health initiatives in Namibia. The donation is part of a partnership aimed at improving access to menstrual hygiene products, promoting awareness, and addressing stigma surrounding menstruation.

    15 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 12 June

  1. Monica Geingos appointed Club de Madrid advisor

    Former First Lady Monica Geingos has been appointed as an Advisor to Club de Madrid, a global forum of more than 130 democratic former Presidents and Prime Ministers from over 70 countries. Geingos brings experience in law, finance, public health, and youth development, and founded the One Economy Foundation and chairs the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development.

    12 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 11 June

  1. Geingos tells young journalists journalism creates change long-term

    Former first lady Monica Geingos told fellows in the 2026 One Economy Foundation Media Fellowship Programme that journalism should be understood as a gradual process of shaping perspectives through consistent and accurate reporting rather than expecting instant change, and that storytelling must account for lived experiences, trauma and social context.

    11 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 16 May

  1. Monica Geingos appointed Board Chair of global maternal health alliance

    Former First Lady Monica Geingos has been appointed Board Chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH), the world's largest alliance focused on the health and well-being of women, children and adolescents. She succeeds former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, whose tenure ends in November 2026.

    16 May 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 15 May

  1. Former first lady Geingos appointed chair of global maternal health alliance

    Monica Geingos has been appointed board chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, the world's largest alliance focused on maternal, newborn and child health, succeeding former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark when her term ends in November 2026. The alliance, hosted by the WHO in Geneva, brings together nearly 1,500 partner organisations working on maternal, child and adolescent health.

    15 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 14 May

  1. Cabinet reduces Geingos staff and vehicles to match Nujoma

    The Cabinet has decided to reduce Monica Geingos' staff from seven to three and state vehicles from three to two, effective 1 June, aligning her benefits with those of former first lady Kovambo Nujoma. Some of the dismissed staff members have reportedly approached the labour commissioner alleging unfair dismissal and unfair labour practices.

    14 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 12 May

  1. Cabinet cuts Monica Geingos' post-office benefits and allocations

    The Cabinet has reduced the benefits of former first lady Monica Geingos, limiting her to three household staff members and two state-sponsored vehicles effective 1 June, down from her current seven employees. The new policy applies to former first ladies whose husbands die before them, but does not affect founding first lady Kovambo Nujoma.

    12 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 11 May

  1. Childhood trauma, mental health fuel gender-based violence in Namibia

    Monica Geingos of One Economy Foundation says unresolved childhood trauma and mental health challenges continue to fuel gender-based violence and other social problems in Namibia, and that intervention and timely support for young people is important because it is easier to fix broken children than broken adults. Research conducted by the foundation in nine correctional facilities found that lack of love and unresolved mental health issues in homes are drivers of gender-based violence.

    11 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 13 April

  1. Sheya recounts pressures during Swapo electoral college process

    Former Kunene governor Marius Sheya has revealed he was warned to distance himself from Swapo parliamentarian James Uerikua during the party's 2024 electoral college to avoid losing votes. Speaking at Uerikua's memorial service, Sheya reflected on their enduring friendship and how he eventually informed Uerikua of the warning while protecting the source, emphasizing the rarity of loyalty in politics.

    13 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Governor James Uerikua remembered at memorial service

    Hundreds gathered in Otjozondjupa to pay respects to former governor and National Assembly member James Unomasa Uerikua, who died in a car accident over Easter weekend along with his 14-year-old son, Venturo. Former First Lady Monica Geingos and fellow leaders praised his legacy as a visionary who championed agriculture, infrastructure, and youth empowerment.

    13 April 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 18 March

  1. Former first lady Geingos receives honorary PhD from University of Johannesburg

    Monica Geingos was conferred with an honorary doctorate from the University of Johannesburg in recognition of her leadership and advocacy for social development across Africa. She dedicated the honour to her late husband, President Hage Geingob, saying it fulfills a promise to pursue her own PhD as they had planned together.

    18 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Namibia's former First Lady Geingos receives UJ honorary doctorate

    Monica Geingos received an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Johannesburg in recognition of her work in social development, youth empowerment, and gender equity across Africa. The honour acknowledges her two decades in financial and investment sectors, her roles as founder of the One Economy Foundation and #BeFree Movement Project, and her service as UNAIDS Special Advocate and President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development.

    18 March 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 17 March

  1. Monica Geingos receives honorary doctorate, declines to use title

    Former first lady Monica Geingos has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Johannesburg but says she will not use the title until she completes her own PhD, following her late husband Hage Geingob's belief that such honours should be earned rather than conferred.

    17 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 21 February

  1. Editorial: State-funded presidential mansions amid poverty are indefensible

    The Namibian argues that Namibia's practice of awarding mansions worth millions to retiring presidents — including cases where former presidents received both cash payouts and homes — is indefensible when 36.9% of citizens are unemployed and thousands face hunger. The editorial calls on President Nandi-Ndaitwah to end the scheme, citing examples from Sri Lanka, Cyprus, and France where governments have moved to curtail such perks.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 11 February

  1. Former Botswana president addresses Namibia, acknowledges support and border disputes

    Former Botswana president Mokgweetsi Masisi delivered a public lecture at the University of Namibia, highlighting Botswana's role in supporting Namibia's liberation struggle and sheltering genocide victims, while also formally apologizing for killings of Namibian fishermen by the Botswana Defence Force during past border disputes. He emphasized that the two countries have since strengthened bilateral relations through higher-level cooperation platforms and a formalised bi-national commission covering politics, trade, and defence.

    11 February 2026 · New Era →

Monday 9 February

  1. Geingob valued reading to strengthen leadership abilities

    At a Heroes' Acre remembrance ceremony, Geingob's daughter Nangula Geingos honoured her late father, noting he believed reading was essential for better leadership and making informed decisions. Attendees, including President Nandi-Ndaitwah and Geingob's widow, described him and Sam Nujoma as pillars of unity and founding giants who shaped Namibia's constitution and democratic institutions.

    9 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 6 February

  1. Editorial: Honouring late president Geingob's legacy two years on

    A New Era editorial marks the second anniversary of former president Hage Geingob's death, reflecting on his leadership through economic crises, drought, and the Covid-19 pandemic. The piece urges Namibians to honour his legacy by sustaining the foundations he built, including the Harambee prosperity plans and frameworks for unity, resilience and democracy.

    6 February 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 5 February

  1. Monica Geingos says late president's legacy belongs to Namibians

    Former first lady Monica Geingos has stated that the legacy of late president Hage Geingob does not belong to any individual but to the entire nation, emphasising that Namibians can learn from both his successes and struggles. A combined candlelight ceremony honouring Geingob and Founding President Sam Nujoma is to be held at Heroes Acre on Saturday.

    5 February 2026 · New Era →

  2. Nation remembers late President Hage Geingob at Heroes' Acre

    A small, intimate ceremony was held at Heroes' Acre to remember the late Dr Hage Geingob, Namibia's first prime minister and third president, alongside his widow Monica Geingos and other family members, former leaders, and dignitaries.

    5 February 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 2 February

  1. Dr Hage Geingob Fellows programme launched in Kigali

    The Dr Hage Geingob Fellows was launched through the Inter-Generational Leadership Accelerator programme during the inauguration of the Leadership Lab Yetu in Kigali, Rwanda, on Saturday. The initiative, honouring the legacy of the late former president, includes Cabinet ministers, mayors and civil society leaders from across Africa and establishes Yetu as a Pan-African hub to bridge gaps between emerging and established leaders.

    2 February 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 1 February

  1. Africa must develop leaders internally, not abroad—Geingos

    Former first lady Monica Geingos, speaking at the Leadership Lab Yetu launch in Rwanda, urged African leadership programmes to stop sending talent outside the continent, warning that reliance on external donors and venues threatens sustainability and development. She called for stronger institutional systems to absorb and deploy emerging leaders, particularly from marginalised groups, and emphasised that Africa has leaders but lacks effective structures to nurture and deploy them.

    1 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Monica Geingos — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute