Namibia mourns Ya Toivo

Several Namibians took to social media at the weekend to express their sadness at the passing of struggle hero Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo. He was 92. Ya Toivo died peacefully at his home late Friday afternoon and has been described by young and old as a giant and towering figure of the country's liberation struggle. “On behalf of the Namibian government and on my own behalf I wish to express our collective sorrow to the bereaved family. Their loss is not only felt by the family alone but by us all as a country as well,” said President Hage Geingob, who announced Ya Toivo's passing live on national television. On Saturday morning Swapo at its central committee meeting observed a moment of silence in honour and memory of Ya Toivo. His closest friend and fellow Robben Island prisoner Helao Shityuwete was sadly moved by his friend's departure. An emotional Shityuwete said he and Ya Toivo attended a meeting in Walvis Bay and flew back on Friday. “He was a good man, a people's person who could relate to anyone whether young or old and I hope our youth will work hard and emulate the sacrifices made by people like Andimba,” said the 82-year-old struggle veteran. “We as a nation must work hard alongside each other to safeguard the good that we spent years trying to achieve. We must remember the many lives that were sacrificed for us to get here, they should not be in vain.” Shityuwete and Ya Toivo were imprisoned together on Robben Island and were released in 1984. Tributes also poured in from South Africa with the African National Congress, the Julius Malema-led Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) as well as that country's Communist Party paying tribute to Ya Toivo. The ANC described Ya Toivo as a man of strong beliefs and convictions. “A man of strong beliefs and convictions, Cde Toivo dedicated his life to the fight against oppression by the then South Africa authorities, rejecting apartheid South Africa's reduction of sovereign Namibia into its colony,” the ANC said in a statement. Self-determination“He was Namibia's longest serving Robben Islander, having served 16 years on the Island with other luminaries of the African peoples' struggles following conviction for contravening South Africa's Terrorism Act. His life was the personification of solidarity, the quest for self-determination and unyielding commitment to the liberation of his people.” In its revolutionary condolences, the EFF said Ya Toivo's genuine commitment to the struggle of people of Namibia and illegal occupation by apartheid South Africa is recognised the world over. “In our pursuit for economic freedom in our lifetime, as we wage our own revolution as this generation, we must be encouraged by Ya Toivo's words in a statement he made to the court after his sentencing, which he said, 'I know that the struggle will be long and bitter. I also know that my people will wage that struggle, whatever the cost. Only when we are granted our independence will the struggle stop'. As a continent and a young generation, we must take this as a resounding call for continued struggle that is selfless as demonstrated by our struggle icon Ya Toivo. To free ourselves from imperialist and economic slavery. And in doing so, we must never compromise and always be ready to fight corruption and looting of our continent resources.” Madiba magicYa Toivo spent around ten years in the same section on Robben Island as the late South African struggle icon Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela in a statement also paid tribute to the Namibian hero, saying Mandela was touched by Ya Toivo's militancy and stubborn rebelliousness. “Madiba was impressed by Ya Toivo who refused to co-operate with the authorities and even would not participate in the system of grading prisoners to earn them a higher ranking and more privileges. He said that while some people “behaved very well” in order to be promoted, Ya Toivo was different,” the Nelson Mandela Foundation said in a statement. Symbol of peace The Rally for Democracy and Progress said Ya Toivo was a symbol of peace and love. “His enduring legacy of a commitment to voluntary service and humanity will continue to guide and inspire future generations of Namibians,” said Bience Gawanas, chairperson of the Namibia Red Cross Society Governing Board. Ya Toivo is a former chairperson and patron of the local body. ArrangementsMeanwhile, Ya Toivo's widow, Vicki, arrived back home in Namibia from Geneva where she had travelled with work.According to family spokesperson, Helmut Angula, Vicki was in Geneva, Switzerland when her husband passed away.Angula also told Namibian Sun there is no definite programme regarding funeral arrangements of the late Ya Toivo yet, but an announcement is expected to be made as from today.“The idea is to have enough time for mourning and also give the many people we also expect to be coming from overseas to get here so preparatory meetings will only start sitting formally tomorrow,” said Angula.Ya Toivo is expected to get a hero's burial.*Also see story on page 8. STAFF REPORTER

Namibia mourns Ya Toivo

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-10

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Namibia mourns Ya Toivo

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-10

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