The late President Hage Geingob's residence in Windhoek will soon be transformed into the Dr. Hage G. Geingob Presidential Centre, a space dedicated to preserving his legacy and lifelong contribution to nation-building.

Chairperson of the Centre, Professor Peter Katjavivi, briefed President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on the progress during a courtesy call at State House.
Katjavivi says there could be no more fitting location for the centre than the former president's own home, Casa Rosalia.

"The centre will be located at President Hage Geingob's residence. That will be transformed into becoming the centre of the work that we're going to be doing. It is intended to showcase his work and his contribution to nation-building. I cannot think of any other appropriate place than his residence."

The centre will gather archival materials, documentation and memorabilia that reflect Geingob's work at home and abroad.

These include his role during Namibia's struggle for independence, his time with the United Nations and the United Nations Institute for Namibia, his service as prime minister and cabinet minister and ultimately as president.

Professor Katjavivi renewed an appeal to the public to contribute any special artefacts or memorabilia linked to the late leader.

"We are in the process of gathering archival materials, Hage's own work, his contribution in the context of the United Nations, and everything he did both at home and abroad. We are also interested in artefacts that were given to the late president in the form of gifts that might be held at State House or elsewhere. All that will constitute the totality of what we are looking for."

Katjavivi says since then, the project has made significant progress, with a board now overseeing the establishment of the centre, following benchmarking on similar presidential centres in the United States, South Africa and Nigeria.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah welcomed the initiative, expressing appreciation for the effort to honour the country's third president.

"One of the important topics that we as a nation need to know and appreciate is the work of our leaders. As the Presidential Centre is in honour of our third president, I really appreciate this initiative."

More details on the centre's development are expected in due course.