Iilonga hailed as steadfast, courageous
Tributes are pouring in for struggle veteran Petrus Iilonga, who died on Tuesday evening at the age of 71.
Iilonga was a former trade unionist and political prisoner on Robben Island, where he was incarcerated for seven years from 1978 to 1985.
President Hage Geingob tweeted yesterday that he learned with sadness of Iilonga's passing. Comrade Iilonga led workers in their immense contribution to the liberation of Namibia.
“His work as a member of the executive is widely appreciated. Sympathies to [his] family, comrades and friends. May his soul rest in peace,” the head of state tweeted.
Veteran politician and former Robben Island prisoner Ben Ulenga said Iilonga was “a friend through thick and thin”.
“I cannot quite believe it that he has passed on. I know he was sick but I heard that he was getting better, so I was very shocked to hear this morning (yesterday) that he has passed on,” he said.
Ulenga said they had worked side by side during the liberation struggle and after the country gained independence.
“When I think of our time on Robben Island, I remember a steadfast and trustworthy person, a comrade and friend. He will surely be missed,” said Ulenga.
National Council chairperson Margaret Mensah-Williams also expressed her condolences on social media.
She posted a heartfelt message on Facebook, saying: “It is with a heavy heart that I learnt about the passing of Comrade Petrus Iilonga. He was a true patriot and a freedom fighter. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Veteran journalist Gwen Lister said on Twitter that Iilonga was on old friend.
“Always wearing his iconic beret; he was a better trade unionist than the politician he later became. RIP old friend.”
Iilonga served as a deputy minister in many ministries after independence and was also awarded the Ongulumbashe Medal for bravery and long service in 1996.
Between 2000 and 2005 he served as deputy environment minister and went on to serve as deputy labour minister from 2005 to 2010.
In 2012 he was appointed deputy minister of defence, a position he held until recently.
JEMIMA BEUKES
Iilonga was a former trade unionist and political prisoner on Robben Island, where he was incarcerated for seven years from 1978 to 1985.
President Hage Geingob tweeted yesterday that he learned with sadness of Iilonga's passing. Comrade Iilonga led workers in their immense contribution to the liberation of Namibia.
“His work as a member of the executive is widely appreciated. Sympathies to [his] family, comrades and friends. May his soul rest in peace,” the head of state tweeted.
Veteran politician and former Robben Island prisoner Ben Ulenga said Iilonga was “a friend through thick and thin”.
“I cannot quite believe it that he has passed on. I know he was sick but I heard that he was getting better, so I was very shocked to hear this morning (yesterday) that he has passed on,” he said.
Ulenga said they had worked side by side during the liberation struggle and after the country gained independence.
“When I think of our time on Robben Island, I remember a steadfast and trustworthy person, a comrade and friend. He will surely be missed,” said Ulenga.
National Council chairperson Margaret Mensah-Williams also expressed her condolences on social media.
She posted a heartfelt message on Facebook, saying: “It is with a heavy heart that I learnt about the passing of Comrade Petrus Iilonga. He was a true patriot and a freedom fighter. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Veteran journalist Gwen Lister said on Twitter that Iilonga was on old friend.
“Always wearing his iconic beret; he was a better trade unionist than the politician he later became. RIP old friend.”
Iilonga served as a deputy minister in many ministries after independence and was also awarded the Ongulumbashe Medal for bravery and long service in 1996.
Between 2000 and 2005 he served as deputy environment minister and went on to serve as deputy labour minister from 2005 to 2010.
In 2012 he was appointed deputy minister of defence, a position he held until recently.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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