Monica Geingos

Monica Geingos
Geingos in 2021
First Lady of Namibia
In role
21 March 2015 – 4 February 2024
PresidentHage Geingob
Preceded byPenehupifo Pohamba
Succeeded bySustjie Mbumba
Personal details
BornMonica Kalondo
(1976-11-15) 15 November 1976
Ondonga, South West Africa (present-day Namibia)
NationalityNamibian
PartySWAPO
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2015; died 2024)​
Children2
Residence(s)Casa Rosalia, Windhoek
Alma materUniversity of Namibia
OccupationBusinesswoman
ProfessionLawyer
Websitehttps://www.oneeconomyfoundation.com/

Monica Geingos (née Kalondo; born 15 November 1976)[1] is a Namibian entrepreneur and lawyer who served as the 3rd First Lady of Namibia from 2015 until her husband died in 2024. She has been a board member and director within many of the country's large companies.[2] She also chaired the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.[3] She was the President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development.[4] The former first lady of Namibia now serves as the Chancellor of Kepler College in Kigali, Rwanda.[5]

Career

Geingos holds B.Juris and LLB degrees[6] and has spent years as a private equity and governance expert in the financial sector.[7]

In 2012, she was voted one of Namibia's 12 most influential people,[8] and in 2020 she was on the list of 100 most influential African women.[9] Geingos is a graduate of the University of Namibia and spent the early part of her career working for the Namibia Stock Exchange (NSX) in Windhoek. Geingos served as chairman of the board of eBank Namibia and is the managing director of the financial undertaking Stimulus,[10] and general director of Point Break.[11]

In 2025 Geingos was the chair of the board of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center in Liberia.[12]

Personal life

Geingos married the then president-elect of Namibia, Hage Geingob, on 14 February 2015, shortly before he was sworn into office.[13] She served as First Lady from 21 March 2015 until 4 February 2024, when Geingob died. At Geingob's funeral, Geingos gave a eulogy.[14][15]

‘Lead From Where You Are: The Journey of the Office of the First Lady (2015–2024)’ was screened in 2025.[16]

Awards

Mrs. Geingos was awarded the Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up Award, she is the third First Lady to receive the Award [17] She was also awarded World Without AIDS Award from the German AIDS Foundation.[18]

Legacy

A school in Otjiwarongo, Monica Geingos Junior Secondary School is named after Mrs. Geingos.[19] A street, Monica Geingos Street in Mondesa, Swakopmund is also named after her.[20]

References

  1. ^ "Happy Birthday to Mrs. Monica Geingos". Facebook. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Madame Monica Geingos". Concordia. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  3. ^ "Monica Geingos: Executive Profile & Biography - Bloomberg". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  4. ^ "Organisation of African First Ladies for Development". Archived from the original on 27 February 2024.
  5. ^ Hiveluah, Feni (19 August 2024). "Monica Geingos appointed chancellor of Rwanda's Kepler College". The Namibian. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  6. ^ "First Lady Masters of Success next quest". New Era. 19 June 2015. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015.
  7. ^ "First Lady of Namibia Monica Geingos, UNAIDS Special Advocate for Young Women and Adolescent Girls". www.unaids.org. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  8. ^ "The Villager-2012 most influential personalities". Thevillager.com.na. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  9. ^ Siririka, Paheja (21 August 2020). "Geingos, Theofelus among 100 most influential women". New Era.
  10. ^ New Era Publication Corporation (11 July 2014). "On the Spot with Chairperson of EBank, Monica Kalondo | New Era Newspaper Namibia". Newera.com.na. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  11. ^ "Monica Geingos first Namibian speaker at 'Masters of Success'". The Namibian. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  12. ^ Ngunyam, Noella (11 March 2025). "The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development Celebrates Five Years, Offers First Look at 'African Women's House' on International Women's Day - EJS Center". Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  13. ^ Geingob, Monica say 'I do', The Namibian, 16 February 2015
  14. ^ Matthys, Donald (24 February 2024). "'You were born a peasant and died a president' – Monica on her Hage". The Namibian. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  15. ^ Geingos, Monica (27 February 2024). "My president, my husband, my best friend". The Namibian. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  16. ^ Watch, A. legacy in focus: Monica Geingos premieres documentary on nine years of leadership-Market (23 September 2025). "A legacy in focus: Monica Geingos premieres documentary on nine years of leadership - Market Watch". A legacy in focus: Monica Geingos premieres documentary on nine years of leadership - Market Watch. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  17. ^ Reporter, Staff (25 February 2016). "Create your own space, Geingos urges youth". Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  18. ^ "Mrs. Monica Geingos". WomenLift Health. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  19. ^ Namibian, The (16 October 2017). "Geingos rewards outstanding pupils and teachers". The Namibian. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  20. ^ "Swakopmund street named after FLON | nbc". nbcnews.na. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
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