APA-Windhoek (Namibia) The Namibian government has conferred the country’s highest honour to the composer of the national anthem Axali Jakobus Doëseb who died last week.
In a statement late Monday, the Presidency said President Hage Geingob had conferred the honour of a state funeral Doëseb following recommendations from the National Honours Advisory Committee.
“After listening to comments and inputs from the Namibian public and underlining the importance of the National Anthem as a national symbol, President Hage G. Geingob elevated the honour to the highest distinction and rank of a State Funeral,” his office said.
In addition, Doëseb’s family would receive N$2 million (about US$109,000) from the government “as a further token of appreciation for his work as the writer and composer of the national anthem.”
Ahead of the state memorial service and state funeral, the Namibian flag is expected to fly at half-mast “on dates to be determined after consultation with the family for the date of the burial at a place to be determined by the family.”
Doëseb, who was born in November 1954, died on October 29. He wrote and composed “Namibia, Land of the Brave”, which has been the national anthem of the country since 1991.
JN/APA