Principled, warm, gentle and kind are the words used to describe former Robben Island political prisoner and anti-apartheid activist Helao Shityuwete.
Shityuwete spent 18 years imprisoned on Robben Island for his role in Namibia’s liberation struggle. He died at the age of 92 in Windhoek on Saturday.
His daughter, Tulimelila Shityuwete (39), affectionately called ‘Tuli-bel’ by her father, says the qualities people admired in him were not limited to his public life.
“He was a very involved father who took care of us, bathed us and cooked for us. He taught us how to make oshikundu,” she says.
She says her father had a strong presence. His tall stature, energy and charismatic personality could be felt when he entered a room, even before he spoke.
“He had a booming voice and good sense of humour. He was so funny,” she says.
Tulimelila says Shityuwete often shared stories about his experiences and years on Robben Island in a “charismatic” way, stories she believes could have been painful.
One of her favourite memories, she says, is of her father cutting sugarcane he had planted at the bottom of their garden with a Swiss Army knife and giving it to her.
“I feel like that shows the kind of father he was. He surprised me with some sugarcane a couple of years ago and it brought back wonderful memories,” she says.
Tulimelila says her father taught them values, including making their beds before leaving a room and treating every person with dignity.
He loved football and watching or reading news, she says.
“His favourite team was Arsenal. He loved traditional food. His favourite song was ‘Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes’,” she says.
Shityuwete was a firm labour advocate, fighting for the rights of all workers in the country and for the dignity of all. He started the Namibian Former Robben Island Prisoners Trust to take care of former Robben Island prisoners and their families.
The trust is currently being managed by Marten Kapewasha, who was imprisoned at Robben Island with Shityuwete.
“Many of them were living in real poverty after they were released. So the trust was to care for them and their families even after they died,” Shityuwete’s wife, Jane, says.
She says they met in London in 1986 when Swapo sent him there to study. Jane describes him as a handsome, tall and charismatic man.
Shityuwete’s death leaves Betuel Nuunyango as the only surviving member of the group of 37 Namibian nationalists who were incarcerated on Robben Island during the 1960s.
Vicky ya Toivo, the widow of Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, Shityuwete’s friend, mentor and teacher, describes him as a beautiful soul who read a lot and could discuss any topic.
“Our families always had tremendous warmth and family cohesion. He was a leader,” she said yesterday.
Shityuwete is survived by Jane, Tulimelila and his son, Frederick.
He was born in Angola and moved to Namibia at the age of 10. He attended school at Endola and later St Mary’s Mission in Odibo, where he studied English.
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.
