Toivo ya Toivo’s Struggle roots embedded in the ANC
He dedicated his life for Namibia to become free
Funeral: Tomorrow Venue: Heroes’ Acre in Windhoek, Namibia
The name Andimba Toivo ya Toivo is inseparably linked to the Struggle for the independence of Namibia.
Formally known as South West Africa, the country got renamed upon its independence in March 1990, which saw Sam Nujoma become president and my fellow Robben Island inmate Ya Toivo head the Ministry of Mines and Energy (1990 to 1999) and labour minister (1999 to 2002).
Born in Namibian in 1924, and I in 1925, our paths were destined to cross – albeit under conditions of our respective Struggle journeys that saw us become prisoners on Robben Island. He landed on the island in 1968, four years after the sentencing of South Africa’s Rivonia Treason trialists in 1964. He and 36 other Namibians were arrested on September 9 1966 by members of the South African security forces.
They were charged under the Terrorism Act on February 9 1968. He was found guilty of contravening the act and sentenced to 20 years in prison, enduring long periods of solitary confinement and other forms of harsh treatment.
Ya Toivo traces his Struggle years from our very home shores. He left his home country for Cape Town in 1951 to be employed as a railway police officer from 1952 to 1953.
He joined the ANC in Cape Town in 1957. Later that year, he co-founded the Ovamboland People’s Congress, forerunner of the Ovamboland People’s Organisation and forerunner of the South West African People’s Organisation (Swapo), upon it being reconstituted on April 19 1960, and was thus appointed its secretarygeneral. Soon thereafter, Swapo established its military wing, the South West Africa Liberation Army.
Growing opposition to SA’s control of Namibia led to Ya Toivo sending a petition to the UN in December 1958.
Throughout his years on Robben Island, Ya Toivo refused to recognise South Africa’s jurisdiction over Namibia and was the real troublemaker for the prison authorities. On April 18 1970, Ya Toivo demanded that all Namibians be transferred back to their country and called for a drastic improvement of the medical services on Robben Island.
He fought for his country with distinction and was just as humble in serving it when he retired from active politics in 2006.
He remains a fellow Struggle stalwart of adorable standing that both South Africa and Namibia are proud to have had.
The people of South Africa extend their condolences to the Toivo family and the Namibian nation in its moment of loss.
Hamba Kahle comrade Andimba, May your soul rest in peace.