Johannesburg - Popular singer Helena Hettema was on holiday in Namibia on Wednesday when she received the news that her father, retired Springbok rally driver and cyclist, Jan Hettema, had been killed.
An emotional Helena told the Pretoria News: “The news has been devastating. My mom called me this morning and informed me.”
As the news of the death of her father, who was 82, spread across the world, the Rooiwynliefde hit-maker was driving through Botswana on her way home, saddened by the brutal and senseless killing.
Hettema was killed by a pair of gun-wielding robbers who ransacked his smallholding in Tweedrag, east of Pretoria, before shooting him at about 8am. His wife Ulsa was assaulted.
Netcare 911’s Athlenda Mathe said Hettema was declared dead on the scene and his body handed over to the Boschkop police. He had been shot once in the face.
Police launched a manhunt for the two men who overpowered Hettema, his wife and a worker and took a laptop, cellphones and jewellery.
Helena, a celebrated singer, songwriter and cabaret artist, described her father as an adventurous individual who was always engaged in activities such as giving talks and travelling. He was inspiring, passionate, and had an eager mind.
“He always wanted to do something new. He loved travelling and learning new things and how they worked,” she said.
She said she would miss him as he sometimes shared the stage and sang with her when she performed.
“He shared the stage with me recently, in March, when I was performing at The Pierneef Theatre. We sang My Way by Frank Sinatra.”
Helena said despite the gruesome manner of her father’s death, he would want to be remembered in a less grim light.
“We are all very emotional about his death and the way he died. However, knowing my father, he wouldn’t have wanted us to mourn over the way he was killed, but would much prefer it if we celebrated his life,” said Helena.
Hettema’s friend of many years and fellow retired rally racer Richard Sterne said he and Hettema had agreed to meet for breakfast on Thursday. Sterne said he was informed of Hettema’s death by a family friend who lived in the same vicinity.
“My son’s friend was driving past his plot and saw a lot of police officers. He went to investigate and that’s when he found out about Jan. He called me and told me about the tragedy,” said Sterne.
“I spoke to Jan last week and we agreed to go out for breakfast. We try and go out every Thursday.”
Sterne said he had advised Hettema to sell his plot for safety reasons, but his friend was reluctant.
“He had a hard shell, but was a lovable person once you knew him. I told him to sell because he was alone with his wife, but he said he wouldn’t get robbed as he didn’t have anything of value on the property,” said Sterne.
“He had been living there for about 40 years and was a hermit. He had no electricity; he used solar panels.
“And if I knew my friend, he was a brave man and probably died while trying to protect his wife.”
Hettema shot to stardom at the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 when he competed in three cycling events - individual road race, team event and 4 000m team pursuit.
As a rally driver, Hettema won the national drivers’ title in 1963, 1967, 1968, 1969, and 1976.
Pretoria News