STORY: Nangolo Mbumba sworn in as Namibia's 4th president following passing of Hage Geingob 
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 4, 2024
DATELINE: Feb. 5, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:15
LOCATION: Windhoek
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST: 
1. various of the swearing-in ceremony
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): NANGOLO MBUMBA, Namibian President
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JEROBEAM SHAANIKA, Political analyst from Namibia

STORYLINE:

Nangolo Mbumba, the former vice president of Namibia, took the oath of office on Sunday in the capital Windhoek, officially becoming the nation's fourth president after former President Hage Geingob passed away earlier Sunday at the age of 82.

The swearing-in ceremony extended beyond the presidency, as Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the former deputy prime minister and minister of international relations and cooperation, assumed the role of the new vice president.

Nangolo Mbumba, born on Aug. 15, 1941, had previously served as the second vice president of Namibia since 2018. A dedicated member of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), Mbumba boasts an extensive career, having led various ministries in Namibia.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): NANGOLO MBUMBA, Namibian President
"I accept with humility the noble assignment bestowed upon me, that of appointment as President of the Republic of Namibia, in accordance with Article 29 (4) (a), read together with Article 34 (I) of the Namibian Constitution."

Mbumba will serve as president for the remaining duration of Geingob's term. Geingob had been in office since March 21, 2015, after being re-elected for a second term. Namibians are set to go to polls in general elections later this year.

Meanwhile, political analysts have asserted that this measure aims to safeguard political stability within the nation.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JEROBEAM SHAANIKA, Political analyst from Namibia
"As we have heard, the announcement that was made by the president is that he serves for the remaining time of the late president. I guess the elections are unaffected. That is how I am getting it. And also, from the constitution, it is quite clear that if the vacancy opens less than a year before the election, the vice president serves for the remainder of the term, and that is quite clear."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Windhoek.
(XHTV)