The death of veteran liberation struggle icon Helao Joseph Shityuwete has left family, friends, and fellow veterans mourning the loss of a historic giant. 

The former People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) commander and Robben Island political prisoner died at his home on Saturday. 

His death on Saturday comes just days after celebrating his 92nd birthday.

His widow, Jane Shityuwete, remembers her late husband as more than just a dedicated war veteran. 

She describes him as a loving, kind, and progressive man. 

The couple shared more than 40 years of marriage, during which she says he remained committed to his family, labour rights, and the liberation of Namibia.

Shityuwete revealed that two years ago her husband underwent an operation that left him unable to speak on his own.

Since then, he had been receiving care at home, where the family looked after him till his last day.

"My focus was giving him some quality of life, and our favourite thing every day was that I read to him in the afternoon when there was nobody else here. I read to him for an hour or two, and it was the time he would be fully alert and looking at me and enjoying being read to. That is actually my last precious moment for these years. He was the sweetest and purest form of himself. He was wonderful to care for, no problem or complaints, and accepted his situation with dignity like a soldier's mentality, ok, keeping on."
Tuli Shityuwete, the eldest daughter, says her heart is filled with gratitude whenever she thinks of her father. 

In an emotional tribute, she describes him as a deeply present and loving parent who played an active, nurturing role in both her life and the life of her younger brother Freddy.

"I remember he built me a playhouse out of cardboard, so I really have such wonderful memories of growing up with my father, and ever since he passed, (shorten the break when she pauses) I can hear his voice in my head; he would call me Tuli-Bel, and I hear him call me Tuli-Bel and say hello, Tuli-Bel."

Family friend Vicki ya Toivo says her late husband, Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, shared a close friendship with late Shityuwete for many years, both being political prisoners on Robben Island.

She described him as one of Namibia's greatest sons, whose contribution to the country's liberation and history will always be remembered.

Ya Toivo said she came to visit the Shiyuwete's on Saturday. 

"We were able to see him lie peacefully and kiss him goodbye. We will miss him, but we hope that the history of his contribution will be made known to the Namibian people. As I said, he was one of the great Namibians that were humble and principled, and that is how he and my husband have so much in common."

Veteran journalist Gwen Lister was among those who visited the Shityuwete family to pay her respects.
Lister says at a time when Namibia often grapples with the meaning of the word hero, Helao Shityuwete is someone who truly embodies that title.

"We all know very well his history as a freedom fighter, as a man that nearly spent two decades on Robben Island as a political prisoner, but he was so much more than that. He was a man of incredible humility, compassion and intellect. He was a person who loved the news and what was going on in the world. He was a person I connected with back when I was a journalist and also as a friend. I think Helao should be remembered as a hero he was to all Namibians, and he definitely has a place in our history books."