WINDHOEK – President Hifikepunye Pohamba described the late former Robben Island prisoner, Hitjevi Gerson Veii as a fearless and patriotic freedom fighter, who remained steadfastly committed to the just cause for freedom, justice and peace in our country.
Addressing the multitude of mourners here yesterday at the Heroes Acre at the funeral of Veii, Pohamba said Veii will always be remembered for his deeds of bravery and patriotism.
“Although the sense of sorrow is deep, we are consoled that Comrade Veii has fought a good fight; he dedicate a service to the nation that over the years will serve as inspiration to generations to come,” he said, adding that his name is written in the annals of the history of the Land of the Brave.
Veii died at the age of 76 in Windhoek at Katutura hospital a fortnight ago. He is the first non-Swapo member to be buried at the Heroes Acre. He is survived by wife, Adelheid, nine children, 15 grandchildren, and 12 greatgrandchildren. Veii was appointed as the first governor of the Kunene Region after Namibia’s independence in 1990.
Following a December 1967 speech in Windhoek’s Old Location against the incarceration of Swapo leaders in the wake of the military actions at Omugulugwombashe, Veii was arrested, convicted of inciting racial hatred, and sentenced to five years in prison. He spent one year in solitary confinement in Pretoria, and a further four years on Robben Island.
Upon his release in 1972, he had developed a brain tumour and several other debilitating health problems. His family suspected that he was experimented on at Robben Island.
During the memorial service at Parliament Gardens on Tuesday, speaker after speaker described Veii as a former freedom fighter who fought tooth and nail for the country’s independence.
Swanu party president, Usutuaije Maamberua, commended the Namibian government for according the late Veii a hero’s funeral. He also thanked the Founding Father Sam Nujoma for his brilliant idea of coming up with the Heroes Acre. The funeral was attended most notably by Prime Minister and President-elect, Dr Hage Geingob, and Speaker of the National Assembly, Theo-Ben Gurirab, among others.