Ya Toivo: A life of sacrifice

The life of Andimba Herman Toivo Ya Toivo, who turns 90 today, has been full of trials and tribulations, but throughout he has shown his undying determination to fight for the dignity, independence and freedom of his people. This was said yesterday by Minister of Defence Nahas Angula at the launch of a booklet on Ya Toivo’s life that he authored. “Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo is a giant in the annals of the liberation struggle of Namibia, but his leading role and contribution are not often acknowledged in the public arena. The older generation is perplexed that his name is currently rarely mentioned and are concerned that today’s youth are being deprived of this knowledge and of a role model that should be a lasting source of inspiration to succeeding generations,” said Angula. He said Ya Toivo opted to fight for the liberation of his country out of a deep conviction and prepared himself to face risks to his own life. It was through conviction that Ya Toivo was able to persevere in the face of multitude of challenges. According to Angula, he decided to dedicate the booklet to the youth because they are the ones who will take over from the likes of Ya Toivo and other leaders who fought to liberate the country. Angula said the youth face a socio-economic struggle. This includes poverty, inequality and unemployment, among other challenges. He added that Namibia cannot continue to be a nation of poverty and that the country cannot be built on such “socio-economic deficits”. He urged the youth to work hard and make sure every Namibian has a place in the sun, country as Ya Toivo and others like Founding President Sam Nujoma have done their part. “He (Ya Toivo) endured arrests, detentions, harassments and eventually long imprisonment. Few Namibians leaders went through the experience he went through for the sake of his people and the country. His legacy is steadfastness, courage, perseverance and humility, as he fought for a just cause and these are the virtues we should celebrate as we mark his 90th birthday,” said Angula. Robben Island In February 1968, Ya Toivo was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for high treason under the South African apartheid regime’s notorious Terrorism Act of 1967 with other fellow Namibians. They were sent to the notorious Robben Island apartheid prison, off Cape Town’s coast. He was to spend 16 years in prison with Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and other prominent South African political prisoners, before he was released in 1984. He then joined his comrades in exile. Congress of Democrats (CoD) President Ben Ulenga, who was also a prisoner on Robben Island with Ya Toivo from 1976 to 1985, said: “The role of personalities during this watershed historic era has always been an interesting discussion point, and with regard to the narrative of Namibia’s liberation struggle, the Herman Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo has been central.” According to Ulenga, the beginnings of the formalisation and structuring of what later became a guerrilla movement at the centre of a military conflagration against the apartheid regime, which spanned the whole sub-continent of Southern Africa, should be credited to Ya Toivo. “Through his interactions and exchanges with many inside and outside his organisation, and principally through his collaboration with Mburumba Kerina, he helped bring Swapo to the world’s attention. In all matters of principle he is uncompromising, yet he has a soft core... It is difficult if not impossible to attribute the origins of a movement that characterises an epoch to a single individual.” Ulenga added: “Behind Ya Toivo is the towering figure of Chief Hosea Kutako and behind him the camelthorn-like forms of Hendrick Witbooi, Samuel Maharero and Mandume Ndemufayo.” They were followed by other nationalist leaders, such as Nujoma. “And yet clearly and distinctly there he (Ya Toivo) stands. With other fathers and mothers, he gave birth to the nationalism through which this nation was born,” Ulenga said. Asked whether Ya Toivo has received the recognition he deserves, Swapo Secretary-General Nangolo Mbumba said the struggle icon is acknowledged in the hearts and minds of ordinary Namibians. “His contribution, courage and intellect - especially for a man of his age - are well known. He is such a man of the people that even the young ones imitate him. The statement he made at his trial in Pretoria remains a historic statement in Southern Africa and is only second to the one made by Nelson Mandela at his trial. Comrade Ya Toivo is also recognised and known internationally, especially in South Africa,” said Mbumba. Part of Ya Toivo’s long speech at his trial read: “I am a loyal Namibian and I could not betray my people to their enemies. I admit that I decided to assist those who had taken up arms. 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. Only when our human dignity is restored to us, as equals of the whites, will there be peace between us.” Mbumba added that within the Swapo Party, Ya Toivo was recognised as a hero long ago before independence, and that even when the Swapo secretary-general position was re-introduced Ya Toivo was appointed without anyone else contesting for the position. “He has all the heroic medals that come with that recognition, but like I said, recognition in the hearts and minds of the people is what matters. We thank God that he has lived up to this age of 90 years, despite all the many years of suffering he endured, having not only survived years in prison but also World War 2, in which he fought,” said Mbumba. WINDHOEK NAMENE HELMICH