A freedom fighter falls

FILLEMON Ismael Shitilifa, the Robben Island prisoner who was murdered at his farm earlier this month, was a typical foot soldier, and a chess player of note on Apartheid’s Alcatraz.

Shitilifa was shot dead by a stranger whom he had just given water to drink at his farm Nevada, Camp 13, 15 km north of Otjiwarongo. The 65-year-old former liberation war hero was not a politician, but he was at the forefront of the struggle for Namibian Independence.Shitilifa was born at Omupanda village in Uukwambi, today part of the Oshana region, and was introduced to nationalistic politics while working as a contract labourer in the 1950s.His conscientisation come from attending political meetings addressed by late Swapo stalwart Nathaniel Maxuilili and Minister of Prisons Andimba Toivo ya Toivo.Shitilifa became a major political figure in the 1960s.He was one of the first Namibians to train as soldiers for SWALA (South West Africa Liberation Army), which became the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN).On August 26, 1966, together with seven others Shitilifa was arrested following a battle with soldiers of apartheid South Africa, who used eight helicopter gunship at Omugulugwombashe in Uukwaluudhi, now Omusati region.Together with 36 others they were tried under the Terrorism Act, which was specially designed for them while they waited to be tried in Pretoria.According to Helao Shityuwete, the co-ordinator of the Namibian Former Robben Island Political Prisoners Trust, Shitilifa was recruited as a soldier with only primary school qualifications.However, by the time they were released from Robben Island in 1984, he had obtained a junior certificate.Shitilifa was initially sentenced to life imprisonment for his part in Namibia’s liberation struggle.His sentence was reduced to 20 years after appeal.At Robben Island, says Shityuwete, Shitilifa was “a very good sportsman.He was one of the best chess players, and also good at ‘karem board’.”He was released in 1984, together with Prisons Minister Andimba Toivo ya Toivo and other Robben Islanders and has lived in Namibia ever since.Shitilifa only knew Swapo.He had worked for the party as a cleaner since his release, until he was given a resettlement plot, and 10 cattle with which to farm.Shityuwete described Shitilifa as one of the most “successful resettled farmers”.He raised cattle at the plot of land where he has farmed for about eight years.Shitilifa’s suspected killer, appeared in court last week, said Police, but the motive for the attack is as yet unclear, nor is it known if the suspect knows who he shot.The 65-year-old former liberation war hero was not a politician, but he was at the forefront of the struggle for Namibian Independence.Shitilifa was born at Omupanda village in Uukwambi, today part of the Oshana region, and was introduced to nationalistic politics while working as a contract labourer in the 1950s.His conscientisation come from attending political meetings addressed by late Swapo stalwart Nathaniel Maxuilili and Minister of Prisons Andimba Toivo ya Toivo.Shitilifa became a major political figure in the 1960s.He was one of the first Namibians to train as soldiers for SWALA (South West Africa Liberation Army), which became the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN).On August 26, 1966, together with seven others Shitilifa was arrested following a battle with soldiers of apartheid South Africa, who used eight helicopter gunship at Omugulugwombashe in Uukwaluudhi, now Omusati region.Together with 36 others they were tried under the Terrorism Act, which was specially designed for them while they waited to be tried in Pretoria.According to Helao Shityuwete, the co-ordinator of the Namibian Former Robben Island Political Prisoners Trust, Shitilifa was recruited as a soldier with only primary school qualifications.However, by the time they were released from Robben Island in 1984, he had obtained a junior certificate.Shitilifa was initially sentenced to life imprisonment for his part in Namibia’s liberation struggle.His sentence was reduced to 20 years after appeal.At Robben Island, says Shityuwete, Shitilifa was “a very good sportsman.He was one of the best chess players, and also good at ‘karem board’.”He was released in 1984, together with Prisons Minister Andimba Toivo ya Toivo and other Robben Islanders and has lived in Namibia ever since.Shitilifa only knew Swapo.He had worked for the party as a cleaner since his release, until he was given a resettlement plot, and 10 cattle with which to farm.Shityuwete described Shitilifa as one of the most “successful resettled farmers”.He raised cattle at the plot of land where he has farmed for about eight years.Shitilifa’s suspected killer, appeared in court last week, said Police, but the motive for the attack is as yet unclear, nor is it known if the suspect knows who he shot.