Namibia: President Says Shityuwete Left Legacy of Courage, Sacrifice

What the report says

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has paid tribute to Helao Shityuwete, a Namibian liberation struggle veteran and workers’ rights advocate, after his death on Saturday, just days after he marked his 92nd birthday. According to The Namibian, the president said his passing came soon after the country observed Heroes Day on 26 August, making the moment especially significant as Namibia reflected on those who fought for its independence.

Nandi-Ndaitwah described Shityuwete as part of a generation of patriots whose courage, sacrifice and selflessness helped shape the nation’s history. She also highlighted his role as a lifelong defender of workers’ dignity and rights, and said his commitment to justice and freedom remained firm throughout his life.

The article said Shityuwete was imprisoned on Robben Island for opposing apartheid, but continued to support Namibia’s liberation cause. Beyond politics, the president noted that his writing and labour advocacy helped preserve the experiences of the liberation generation for future readers. She extended condolences to his wife, Jane, his children and the wider family, saying his name would remain honored in Namibia’s national history. In broader context, liberation veterans are often remembered in Namibia for linking the struggle for independence with later efforts to build social and labor rights.