Ramaphosa mourns loss of Namibia's Geingob, 'a friend of South Africa'

JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has added his voice to messages of condolences being conveyed following the death of struggle stalwart and the Republic of Namibia's third president, Hage Geingob.

The 82-year-old statesman passed away at a Windhoek hospital, with his wife and family by his side, in the early hours of Sunday morning. 

Geingob was recently diagnosed with cancer after another battle with prostate cancer close to a decade ago.

A towering veteran of Namibia's liberation from colonialism and apartheid is how Ramaphosa described Geingob.

In a statement released by the Presidency on Sunday, Ramaphosa not only reflected on the times he shared with Namibia's number one citizen, he thanked Geingob for the unwavering support he showed to South Africa as the country fought for its freedom.

Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya: "Today the people of South Africa join the people of our sister state, Namibia, in mourning the passing of their leader, patriot and a friend of South Africa. He was also greatly influential in the solidarity that the people of Namibia extended to the people of South Africa so that we could be free today."