The Editors Forum of Namibia (EFN) has described the late President Hage G. Geingob as a champion of the free press.

Further commending his direct involvement in promoting free media, which they say had a long-term impact not only on Namibia but also on the international media.

They say he played a role in the Windhoek Declaration for a Free, Independent, Pluralistic Press, which was the result of an initiative by African journalists in 1991.

The forum recapped the history of when UNESCO hosted a seminar under the title "Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press" in Windhoek, which was chaired by the then-First Prime Minister of Namibia, Dr. Geingob.

In his tenure as President, Geingob also allowed the second congress, as determined and supported by the UN, and thus the Windhoek +30 Declaration in May 2021.

The forum says that Dr. Geingob not only continued to support the idea of freedom of speech, but he also put emphasis on the fact that he wanted Namibia to remain the leader of a free press in Africa and the world. 

In their condolence message, the EFN expressed its condolences to the former First Lady and Geingo families, as well as all Namibians.

President Geingob was known for having a good relationship with the Namibian media and journalists, especially during the time of the