It was a solemn atmosphere at State House today as Cabinet ministers reacted to the passing of President Hage Geingob.

nbc Senior Producer Gordon Joseph spoke to Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and other Cabinet ministers at the swearing-in ceremony.

Nandi Ndaitwah said Geingob's legacy would be edged into the history of Namibia, describing his life as one dedicated to Namibia and its people.

"It's very devastating; we have lost a person of the people, a pan-Africanist, and a statesman. He has really done a lot for this country during and after independence, both at the level of the Swapo party and the government, and the only way we can really honour his legacy is to remain united under the Namibian House, where we must be guided by the principles of solidarity, freedom, and justice. Condolences to the entire Namibian nation."
                                            
Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo called on Namibians to remain calm and united as the nation tries to make sense of its collective grief.

"To lose the President the way we did, we all knew he was sick, but I think we were all caught by surprise, and therefore, really, we are pained by this, but I think we should be calm because we don't always know what the almighty has planned for us."

Speaker of the National Assembly Professor Peter Katjavivi, who counts the late Geingob as a personal friend, said his death was an immeasurable loss.