Renthia Kaimbi
Tributes are flowing in following the death of liberation struggle veteran, former Robben Island prisoner and workers’ rights advocate Helao Joseph Shityuwete, who died on 29 August 2026, just days after celebrating his 92nd birthday.
Shityuwete’s passing has brought to an end the life of a man who endured imprisonment, hardship and sacrifice in the struggle against apartheid and colonial rule, before dedicating his later years to preserving the memory of Namibia’s liberation struggle and championing the rights and dignity of workers.
His death came only three days after the country commemorated Heroes’ Day on 26 August, adding poignancy to the loss of a man whose life was itself a testament to the sacrifices made in the pursuit of Namibia’s freedom.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah described Shityuwete as a courageous patriot whose life was characterised by sacrifice, resilience and an unwavering commitment to the liberation of Namibia.
“Namibia has lost a distinguished son, a courageous liberation struggle veteran and a lifelong champion of the dignity and rights of workers,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
For those who knew his contribution to the liberation struggle, Shityuwete represented a generation that paid a heavy personal price for the freedom Namibians enjoy today.
His imprisonment on Robben Island stands among the defining chapters of his life. Yet, even after enduring the hardships associated with political imprisonment, his commitment to Namibia’s freedom remained undiminished.
In the years that followed independence, Shityuwete continued to serve the country in different ways, particularly through his writing and advocacy for workers’ rights.
He also played a role in ensuring that the experiences of those who fought for liberation were not forgotten.
His contribution extended beyond the political struggle itself, reflecting a lifelong belief that independence should also be accompanied by dignity, justice and respect for working people.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said Shityuwete belonged to a generation of patriots whose courage and selflessness helped shape Namibia’s history, describing his passing as the end of an important chapter in the nation’s story.
“His passing marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in our nation’s history. However, the values for which he stood, and the freedom to which he devoted his life, will remain his enduring legacy,” she said.
As Namibia reflects on his life, Shityuwete is remembered not simply for the years he spent behind bars, but for the principles he carried with him throughout his life.
His story is one of a generation that confronted oppression at great personal cost, with many paying with their freedom, livelihoods and, in some cases, their lives.
His legacy, therefore, extends beyond his years as a liberation struggle activist.
It lives on in the freedom for which he fought, in the workers whose rights he defended and in the history he helped preserve for generations that followed.
Nandi-Ndaitwah extended condolences on behalf of the government and the people of Namibia to Shityuwete’s wife, Jane, his children and the wider Shityuwete family.
She said the family could take comfort in knowing that their loss was shared by a nation grateful for his contribution to the struggle for freedom and justice.
As tributes continue to emerge, Shityuwete’s death has also served as a reminder of the dwindling generation of Namibians who personally experienced the sacrifices and hardships of the liberation struggle.
His name, however, is expected to remain part of Namibia’s historical record, carried forward through the stories of those who knew him and the ideals to which he dedicated his life.
“May his courageous soul rest in eternal peace,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
