Former political prisoners and parliamentarians have described the decision by the government to bury liberation struggle veteran Helao Shityuwete at Pionierspark as an insult to a man who spent 18 years imprisoned on Robben Island.
Shityuwete was imprisoned on Robben Island off the coast of Cape Town in South Africa, for 18 years.
Shityuwete died on 29 August at the age of 92. Family spokesperson Julius Ngweda yesterday told The Namibian that ‘tatekulu’ wished to be buried “with his fellow comrades like Toivo ya Toivo”.
Former Swapo and RDP parliamentarian Jeremiah Nambinga yesterday said Shityuwete’s contribution to the liberation struggle warranted a state honour at the Heroes’ Acre.
“It is nonsense and very unfair. Who are the people who advise who to get buried at the Heroes’ Acre and what is their contribution to the liberation struggle?” he asks.
Former anti-apartheid activist and political prisoner Jerry Ekandjo, during a remembrance ceremony at the Shityuwete’s family home on Wednesday, questioned why a pioneer of the liberation struggle would be buried at Pionierspark when his resting place should be at Heroes’ Acre.
“He is a hero, a pioneer. What criteria were used for a pioneer of the liberation struggle to be buried at Pionierspark? What criteria was used?” he asks.
He says Shityuwete walked to Tanganyika, now Tanzania, and back to Namibia in 1965 to start a liberation front in the country, adding that he deserves a place next to his fellow comrades.
Ekandjo says Shityuwete had previously told them that if he were to die, he should be buried next to his fellow friends, Andimba Toivo ya Toivo and Dimo Hamaambo.
“Is Heroes’ Acre only for politicians and members of parliament? He is a pioneer, not just ordinary.
The story of Helao, Swapo and the struggle is extraordinary. At the founding of Swapo, he was there,” Ekandjo says.
Marten Kapewasha, chairperson of the Namibian Former Robben Island Trust says available information indicates that Shityuwete will be buried at the Heroes and Heroines Cemetery in Pionierspark.
“But we still want to hear from the president because there are a lot of concerns among members since he is getting a State funeral, he must be buried next to Andimba Toivo ya Toivo.
Why not send him to Heroes’ Acre? He is a hero. The president is yet to decide and we are waiting for her decision,” he said yesterday.
The Ministry of International Relations and Trade yesterday announced that Shityuwete’s memoral service is scheduled to take place on Saturday, with the funeral to follow on Sunday at Gammams Cemetary in Pionierspark.
Former agriculture minister Calle Schlletwein on Facebook wrote that he wished Shityuwete could rest “in peace” next to his fellow comrades who sacrificed the best parts of their lives for Namibia to be free.
“He was honoured with a state funeral and one appreciates that, but he is a hero. I wished he could rest in peace next to his comrades. We salute you,” he says.
Presidential press secretary Jonas Mbambo on Tuesday told The Namibian that the government intends to accord Shityuwete a state funeral in recognition of his contribution to the country’s independence and that his family has been consulted.
He says an official announcement will be made.
In 1967, Shityuwete and 36 other Namibian nationalists were tried under South Africa’s Terrorism Act.
They were convicted and sent to Robben Island in 1968.
Shityuwete was released in 1984.
