‘An insult to bury Shityuwete at Pionierspark’

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…