Veteran journalist and nbc's former Radio News Editor, Kaomo Vijanda Tjombe, died in Windhoek on Saturday following a battle with cancer. 

He was 65 years old. 

Tjombe's brother, Nathanael Mbaeva, confirmed the news to the nbc.

Before cementing his career in the media industry, the former wordsmith joined the cause to free Namibia, having left the country between 1977 and 1978.

He then joined the People's Liberation Army of Namibia in the 80s, having received military training in northern Angola.

Following this, cousin Kaomo, as he was affectionately known, exchanged military equipment for a pen and a microphone when he joined the Voice of Namibia radio station in Zambia to continue re-enforcing Namibia's quest for freedom.

Upon his return from exile, the quiet bibliophile, Tjombe, became the Editor of Namibia Today before joining the nbc until his early retirement in 2016.

"He is one of the most impressive sons of our family who had a very illustrious and exemplary career for his family, clan, and country. And from the maternal family, it is really a great loss for us. We are short of words, but we are consoled by the fact that he leaves with us a legacy that we will never forget. When he left the employ of the nbc, he spent a lot of time with the family. You remember he left early into exile, so he didn't spend much time with the family, and when he came back, he spent work and time at nbc but when he retired, that is when his contribution to the family was much felt, uniting the family, solving problems, and guiding young ones into becoming productive adults. No matter the illness he struggled with, he was there for the family," said Mbaeva.

He is survived by his wife, Raturikua Tjombe, son, and siblings.

Detailed information regarding the funeral arrangements will be made public later.

"At the moment I can only share a tentative programme, and as per his wish, he would like his remains to be taken to the village to pay farewell to his father, who is resting there, and mourners there can have the opportunity to mourn him for two days. Then the remains will be brought back to Windhoek, so there will be a memorial service for colleagues, comrades, and the entire Namibian nation, but funeral arrangements will be announced in due course."

At the time of his death, the late Tjombe had ventured into farming, literature, and social empowerment programmes.