Representatives from more than ten nations will attend the state funeral of founding president Sam Nujoma in Windhoek on Saturday. The minister of information and communication technology, Emma Theofelus, confirmed this detail at the government information center yesterday. Current and former heads of state will be among the guests.
Nujoma died at the age of 95. His burial will take place at Heroes' Acre on March 1. President Nangolo Mbumba declared that day a public holiday. In the previous year, about twenty-seven African leaders attended the funeral of former president Hage Geingob; eighteen of them were serving as heads of state. The government has received confirmations from many foreign delegations. These groups include current and past heads of state and high-ranking officials such as vice presidents, prime ministers, leaders of international organizations, speakers of national legislatures, and foreign affairs ministers.
Approximately ten countries have confirmed their attendance. Among these are Angola, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Finland, Cuba, and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. The ministry continues to receive further confirmations and changes. The public is asked to follow only the information confirmed by the ministry. The casket is expected to arrive from Keetmanshoop in Windhoek today. After the official procession, the body will be on display at Parliament Gardens for public viewing. People are asked not to take photographs during the viewing. A state memorial service is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at Independence Stadium. Transport arrangements have been made for residents of the Khomas region to attend the memorial and burial. All details will be shared when they become available.
A ceremony will present a statue that shows Nujoma holding a baby at the party headquarters. The statue sits atop the building. The party plans a memorial service in his honor at Sam Nujoma Stadium this afternoon. Last night, Swapo held a candlelight vigil at its headquarters to honor Nujoma. Because this is the first time a president's casket has been flown by air across regions, Theofelus expressed regret on behalf of the government for any shortcomings. She praised the public for their patience and for following the guidelines when they paid final respects to the founding president.
Nujoma died at the age of 95. His burial will take place at Heroes' Acre on March 1. President Nangolo Mbumba declared that day a public holiday. In the previous year, about twenty-seven African leaders attended the funeral of former president Hage Geingob; eighteen of them were serving as heads of state. The government has received confirmations from many foreign delegations. These groups include current and past heads of state and high-ranking officials such as vice presidents, prime ministers, leaders of international organizations, speakers of national legislatures, and foreign affairs ministers.
Approximately ten countries have confirmed their attendance. Among these are Angola, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Finland, Cuba, and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. The ministry continues to receive further confirmations and changes. The public is asked to follow only the information confirmed by the ministry. The casket is expected to arrive from Keetmanshoop in Windhoek today. After the official procession, the body will be on display at Parliament Gardens for public viewing. People are asked not to take photographs during the viewing. A state memorial service is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at Independence Stadium. Transport arrangements have been made for residents of the Khomas region to attend the memorial and burial. All details will be shared when they become available.
A ceremony will present a statue that shows Nujoma holding a baby at the party headquarters. The statue sits atop the building. The party plans a memorial service in his honor at Sam Nujoma Stadium this afternoon. Last night, Swapo held a candlelight vigil at its headquarters to honor Nujoma. Because this is the first time a president's casket has been flown by air across regions, Theofelus expressed regret on behalf of the government for any shortcomings. She praised the public for their patience and for following the guidelines when they paid final respects to the founding president.
