Former Robben Island political prisoner Jerry Ekandjo has described the late Helao Shityuwete as a national hero.

In his tribute, Ekandjo, who spent time with Shityuwete at Robben Island and worked with him for years, recalled some of the liberation icon’s contributions to the struggle for Namibia’s independence.

Ekandjo said Shityuwete responded to a call by SWAPO for Namibian youths to leave the country for military training.

“In 1962, the two African countries, Ethiopia and Liberia, took the Namibian case to the World Court. The World Court then decided that South Africa’s presence in Namibia was illegal and said the verdict would be delivered in 1966,” he said. “In 1962, SWAPO leaders met in Dar es Salaam and said, ‘If the verdict comes in 1966, what if it is in favour of South Africa? Let us start an army.’”

Ekandjo added that “In 1962, SWAPO started training freedom fighters and issued a clarion call to Namibian youths in the 1960s to leave the country for military training. Comrade Helao was one of those who responded to that call.”

Beyond his contribution to the liberation struggle, Shityuwete is also being remembered by family and friends as a gentle, caring and friendly man, as well as a mentor.

His daughter, Tulimelila Shityuwete, said she continued to remember her father’s voice, laughter and gentle nature.

“Ever since he passed, I can hear his voice in my head calling me ‘Tulibel’. I have not been able to hear his voice for so long, but it is so clear in my head. And his laughter. That man could laugh.”

Shityuwete will be accorded a state memorial service at Parliament Gardens on Saturday at 14h00. His funeral service is scheduled for Sunday at 10h00 at Pioneerspark Cemetery in Windhoek.