Namibia Minute.
Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 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

Monica Geingos — former First Lady and founder of One Economy Foundation, recently appointed Board Chair of global maternal health alliance PMNCH.

2019-08-072026-06-08

What’s been said

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

  1. February 2026
  2. The Namibian

    Monica Geingos said African leadership programmes must stop sending talent outside the continent for development

    Source

    Former first lady Monica Geingos says African leadership programmes must stop sending talent outside the continent for development.

    Africa must stop exporting talent — Monica Geingos at Leadership Lab Yetu launch
  3. February 2025
  4. The Namibian

    Monica Geingos denies family questioned Geingob's body not being flown to regions

    Source

    Former first lady Monica Geingos, however, denies this, saying Geingob's family do not want to be involved in any divisiveness during Nujoma's mourning period.

    Nation pays tribute: N$7m for Nujoma’s memorials
  5. The Namibian

    Monica Geingos says her family supports all measures designed to ensure a fitting tribute to founding president Sam Nujoma

    Source

    Former first lady Monica Geingos says her family supports all measures designed to ensure a fitting tribute to founding president Sam Nujoma.

    Geingos family supports ‘fitting tribute’ to Nujoma, dismisses divisive talk
  6. The Namibian

    Monica Geingos denied that her family questioned the process of Geingob's body transport to regions

    Source

    She denied that they questioned the process.

    Geingos family supports ‘fitting tribute’ to Nujoma, dismisses divisive talk
  7. The Namibian

    Monica Geingos extended condolences to Kovambo Nujoma and family

    Source

    Our most sincere condolences to our former First Lady, Meekulu Kovambo Nujoma and family.

    Social media responds to Nujoma’s death
  8. January 2025
  9. The Namibian

    Monica Geingos once said there is a need for action to address rising cases of cancer in Namibia

    Source

    I agree and support our lovely former first lady, Monica Geingos, who once said there is a need for action to address rising cases of cancer in Namibia.

    Towards Proper Healthcarein Namibia
  10. October 2024
  11. The Namibian

    Monica Geingos declined several high-level invitations focused on first ladies

    Source

    During the United Nations (UN) General Assembly meeting this month, I personally witnessed former first lady Monica Geingos gracefully declining several high-level invitations that were focused on first ladies.

    In Defence of Monica Geingos
  12. The Namibian

    Monica Geingos focuses on work as an advocate for the UN's Sustainable Development Goals

    Source

    Her focus remains steadfast on her work as an advocate for the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a vital global mission that transcends individual recognition.

    In Defence of Monica Geingos
  13. August 2024
  14. The Namibian

    Monica Geingos has been appointed chancellor at Kepler College in Kigali, Rwanda

    Source

    Former first lady Monica Geingos has been appointed as chancellor at Kepler College in Kigali, Rwanda.

    Monica Geingos appointed chancellor of Rwanda’s Kepler College
  15. July 2024
  16. The Namibian

    Former First Lady Monica Geingos founded One Economy Foundation

    Source

    The One Economy Foundation, founded by former First Lady Monica Geingos, has previously run youth-led programmes, such as the BeFree Movement.

    Police investigate students’ sex exploitation

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