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 · Meme Monica Geingos · Mrs Monica Geingos
Former First Lady and founder of the One Economy Foundation, which supports youth aged 13–35 in Namibia; incoming Board Chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
News reports
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The Namibian
Monica Geingos challenged the distinction between proximity to power and having power
“Geingos, drawing on her experience at State House, challenged the distinction between proximity to power and having power.”
African feminists call for action beyond declarationsInformanté
Monica Geingos said addressing inequality is essential to improving global health security
“Geingos, who is among the co-authors of the analysis, said addressing inequality is essential to improving global health security.”
Inequality must become central to pandemic preparedness, research warnsThe Namibian
Monica Geingos urged young women to embrace their culture with pride
“Former first lady Monica Geingos has urged young women to embrace their culture with pride while cautioning against confusing cultural pride with tribalism.”
Geingos urges young women to embrace their cultureThe Namibian
Monica Geingos praised ǂNisa Damaradi |Ae||gams for creating a space where young women learn about Damara culture
“Speaking at the Îsabedi Graduation Ceremony organised by ǂNisa Damaradi |Ae||gams, Geingos praises the organisation for creating a space where young women learn about Damara culture through the Îsabedi Cultural Training Programme.”
Geingos urges young women to embrace their cultureThe Namibian
One Economy Foundation executive chairperson Monica Geingos has welcomed the donation, saying it would help advance dignity, access and awareness for women and girls
“One Economy Foundation executive chairperson Monica Geingos has welcomed the donation, saying it would help advance dignity, access and awareness for women and girls.”
Lil-Lets donates 6 000 sanitary pad packs to support menstrual health in NamibiaWindhoek Observer
Monica Geingos founded and chairs the One Economy Foundation
“Geingos founded and chairs the One Economy Foundation, the country's largest local NGO, and created the #BeFree Youth Campus integrating health and youth development services.”
Geingos joins Club de Madrid as advisorWindhoek Observer
Monica Geingos serves as UNAIDS Special Advocate for Young Women and Adolescent Girls
“On the international front, she serves as a UNAIDS Special Advocate for Young Women and Adolescent Girls and was appointed a UN Sustainable Development Goal Advocate for the 2030 Agenda in 2024.”
Geingos joins Club de Madrid as advisorThe Namibian
Monica Geingos urged young journalists to view work as long-term contribution to social change
“Former first lady and One Economy Foundation founder Monica Geingos urges young journalists to view their work as a long-term contribution to social change rather than a tool for immediate transformation.”
Geingos urges young journalists to embrace long-term impact of storytellingInformanté
Monica Geingos has been appointed as new Board Chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH)
“FORMER First Lady of Namibia Monica Geingos has been appointed as the new 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.”
Former First Lady Monica Geingos appointed PMNCH Board ChairWindhoek Observer
Monica Geingos was appointed as new board chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health
“Former first lady Monica Geingos has been appointed as the new board chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, the world's largest alliance focused on maternal, newborn and child health.”
Geingos to chair world’s largest maternal, child health alliancePenehupifo Pohamba, former First Lady and a nurse and midwife who championed women's empowerment and rural clinic access during her decade in State House, died on Saturday night at age 78 at the Windhoek hospital bearing her name.
19 October 2026 · New Era →
Penehupifo Pohamba, former First Lady and a nurse and midwife who championed women's empowerment and rural clinic access during her decade in State House, died on Saturday night at age 78 at the Windhoek hospital bearing her name.
19 October 2026 · New Era →
The Windhoek Observer argues that Swapo's internal leadership contest ahead of the 2027 Congress deserves national attention because the party's decisions shape government policy and national direction, with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah positioned to run unopposed while several candidates emerge for other top positions.
19 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Former First Lady Penehupifo Pohamba died on 17 October 2026 at age 78, leaving a legacy of public service, women's empowerment, and advocacy for maternal and child healthcare. Pohamba served as Namibia's second First Lady from 2005 to 2015 during her husband Hifikepunye Pohamba's presidency.
19 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Former First Lady Monica Geingos has described the death of her predecessor Penehupifo Pohamba as "devastating" and credited her with shaping her own tenure in the role, noting Pohamba's contributions to maternal and child health, HIV and AIDS advocacy, and the establishment of the Office of the First Spouse.
18 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Lt Gen (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, First Gentleman of the Republic of Namibia, addressed a Male Engagement Symposium on coordinating Namibia's work with men and boys for gender equality and wellbeing, commending the UNFPA and partner organisations, and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare's Third National Gender Equality and Equity Policy 2025–2035.
9 October 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has commended the One Economy Foundation, founded by Monica Geingos, for its youth empowerment contributions and called for broader institutional and individual support for the Foundation's efforts, saying youth development aligns with government priorities under NDP6.
3 October 2026 · Informanté →
The One Economy Foundation will hold its 11th annual fundraising soirée on 1 October in Windhoek to support youth-focused programmes across Namibia. Founded in 2016, the foundation targets young Namibians aged 13 to 35 facing barriers to healthcare, education, skills development, and employment.
29 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The One Economy Foundation has warned donors of a fraudulent fundraising scam involving a fraudulent invoice impersonating Chairperson Monica Geingos, which diverted a donor's payment intended for its October 2026 fundraising gala. The Foundation said it suspended the fraudulent account before full withdrawal and is working with authorities to pursue those responsible.
24 September 2026 · Informanté →
Monica Geingos, incoming Board Chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, called for young people and civil society to have a greater voice in decisions on financing for women's, children's and adolescents' health, arguing that communities and young people must be actively involved in shaping decisions that affect them rather than merely consulted.
23 September 2026 · Informanté →
Former first lady Monica Geingos told a panel discussion that leadership is demonstrated through willingness to serve and volunteer rather than formal positions, and that young people should build qualifications and financial independence before entering politics to enable principled decision-making.
14 September 2026 · The Namibian →
One Economy Foundation executive chairperson Monica Geingos has called for greater tolerance of youth organisations that fail and for stronger investment and collaboration between young people and older generations. She made the remarks at a panel discussion on youth leadership in Windhoek, noting that young Namibians face high unemployment and challenges moving into sustainable employment and entrepreneurship.
14 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Monica Geingos, executive chairperson of One Economy Foundation, called for greater tolerance of youth organisations that fail and urged investment in youth-led ideas and intergenerational collaboration. She said young people should not wait for perfect conditions to take up leadership roles, as they face high unemployment with 44.4% joblessness among those aged 15 to 34.
14 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Former first lady Monica Geingos has called for greater tolerance for failure among young people and youth-led organisations, saying mistakes can become opportunities to learn and improve, provided they do not involve integrity violations or wrongdoing. She said institutions should extend grace to young people who make mistakes but are willing to learn from them.
12 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Former Brave Gladiators captain Stacey Naris says Namibian sport requires inclusive leadership, strong governance, and meaningful grassroots investment to have a future and become a tool for national development. Naris, speaking after a panel discussion with former First Lady Monica Geingos on sport's role in leadership and community development, emphasises that sport integrity, ethical management, and women's participation in governance are essential.
10 September 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →