Liberation struggle stalwart Heikky Shililifa was buried today at Outapi.

The late Shililifa, who died aged 82, was conferred an official funeral by President Nangolo Mbumba.

Ohamauti Village-born Shililifa left for exile in 1962, and he was instrumental in smuggling students and fellow Namibians into exile.

When Swapo deployed PLAN combatants to the front in order to militarily engage the colonial forces, Shililifa was one of the local people who volunteered to assist the combatants.

Shililifa used his private vehicle to transport combatants and assigned the responsibility to assist PLAN combatants with information regarding the whereabouts of the South African Defence Force soldiers along the borders.

He was arrested and spent five years in the notorious Robben Island prison from 1978 to 1983.

The late Shililifa was awarded the Most Distinguished Order of Namibia First Class in 2015 by the late president Hage Geingob.

President Nangolo Mbumba's speech was read on his behalf.

"Comrade Heikky Shililifa will not only be remembered as a teacher; indeed, he was a teacher by profession; however, he went beyond the call of teaching when in 1962 he decided to join SWAPO. His life story is courageous and exemplary; comrade Shililifa joined the liberation out of realisation and resolved that oppression will never end if Namibians are not committed to the struggle."

Late Shililifa was described by the family as a pillar of strength, a beacon of hope, and a teacher who never ceased to teach and nurture.

He leaves behind his wife Frieda and twelve children.