Namibian war veteran Lazarus !Guiteb was buried in a sombre military send-off at his hometown of Otjiwarongo.

Aged 83, !Guiteb was accorded an official funeral by President Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah, who described him as a hero of note.

The late veteran died on 15 July and was accorded an official funeral for his role in the country's struggle for independence.

Friends and family described !Guiteb was a staunch Swapo member and a brave man who, in his prime, assisted PLAN combatants by organising rallies at a time when public gatherings were banned at the height of the apartheid regime.

He endured several clashes with the Koevoet soldiers in the Otjozondjupa Region, leading to his arrest in August 1977 and subsequent sentencing to eight years' imprisonment on Robben Island in South Africa.

In prison, he served his sentence alongside late veterans Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, Ben Ulenga, and Ruben Itengula, who were charged under the Terrorism Act.

In a message read on behalf of President Nandi-Ndaitwah, Deputy Prime Minister Natangwe Ithete said, because of !Guiteb's selfless contribution in the struggle.

He was awarded medals of high honour and the excellent Order of the Eagle by three late presidents—Sam Nujoma, Hage Geingob, and South Africa's Nelson Mandela.

!Guiteb is survived by his wife, Theresia, and children and great-grandchildren.