Ya Toivo library opens
Aschool library named after the late struggle icon Andimba Toivo ya Toivo was recently inaugurated at the Oshilungi Combined School in the Ombuga area of the Onyaanya constituency. The school has 530 learners.
The library was the idea of the community and school management when they realised that the school lacked infrastructure such as an administrative block, library and gardening facilities.
In 2017, the school organised various fundraising events for the construction of the library to commence. It was completed in 2019 to the tune of N$320 000, and was named after the late struggle hero, who was born and bred at Omangundu.
The late Ya Toivo, who was school patron from 2007 until his death in 2017, played a significant part in the school’s development by donating reading materials and computers, as well as helping the management to get the school electrified.
His widow, Vicki Erenstein ya Toivo, together with the rest of the Ya Toivo family and his friend, former Prime Minister Nahas Angula, formally accepted the naming and inaugurated the library during a ceremony at the school, attended by various dignitaries and the local community.
Principal Esther Nanyanga said the library consists of two storerooms, named after Ya Toivo’s two daughters Mutaleni and Nashikoto. She is, however, still appealing to the community and business fraternity to assist in constructing a school laboratory and donating other materials such as furniture and book shelves.
According to Erenstein ya Toivo, her husband couldn’t have been prouder that the school library was named after him as he always considered himself to be an educator.
“My husband became a teacher after graduating with Grade Six, and started a school. Andimba’s whole life was about learning, and he spent years improving his education. He was always reading and always had a book, even in prison. He was reading on the day he died,” Erenstein ya Toivo said.
She added that Ya Toivo was happiest when he was reading, and therefore encouraged learners at Oshilungi to be motivated and to read. “You can learn a lot by reading. Therefore, it is my wish that the school can get access to wi-fi to enable pupils to read materials online. Books will help you a lot because they can be fun. My husband had confidence in young Namibians and, therefore, our family will do anything to support the library,” she noted.
Another struggle hero, Helao Shityuewete, who was the late Ya Toivo’s best friend, donated books to the library.
Regional education director Aletta Eises said libraries play critical roles in the development of a child.
“We need to develop a reading culture among our learners and, therefore, the library serves as a perfect development for our children and they need to be guided in reading,” she observed.
Eises thanked the community of Oshilungi for meeting the government halfway in constructing the library, and urged the private sector to contribute to the building of schools infrastructure in the region. On behalf of the directorate of education, she then donated various books in indigenous languages to the library.
Angula described the late Ya Toivo as a stalwart who fought oppression without fear.
“When we praise Ya Toivo, we praise him for bringing information to the masses”, he stated, and urged the learners to acquaint themselves with the history of the country before independence.
He said a book written about Ya Toivo will be made available to the library for the learners to read about the history of the liberation struggle.
“We are the past, and you are the future generation. The library is meant for you to read and gain knowledge. This book is about determination and courage, and above all perseverance. Please make time to read it,” Angula urged the learners.