Ya Toivo’s life celebrated

Namibians from all walks of life gathered at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek to pay homage and bid farewell to liberation struggle icon Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo. He died on 9 June at his Windhoek house. He was 92. Speaker after speaker described Ya Toivo as a selfless, fearless and humble son of the soil. In his tribute, President Hage Geingob said Ya Toivo’s selfless service to the Namibian people should be a constant reminder to make the country a better place. “Fellow mourners, only a man of exceptional character can spearhead the genesis of a mass movement with a mandate to unite Namibians to fight a common enemy,” Geingob said. “As Namibians, and mourners we shall draw from his power of forgiveness and unity. It was this straight heart that made him espouse the principles of unity and pulling in one direction. It was also this straight heart that would lead him to find his soulmate, the love of his life, Comrade Vicki Ya Toivo. Vicky and Andimba were kindred spirits who were united by their activism.” Founding President Sam Nujoma eulogised Ya Toivo as a principled man. “We are bidding farewell to an exceptionally dedicated and principled compatriot and freedom fighter. His statement during their treason trial in Pretoria in 1967 was of great inspiration for the Namibian struggle in defiance of the illegal occupation of Namibia by racist South Africa,” said Nujoma. Ya Toivo will be laid to rest tomorrow at the Heroes Acre. He is survived by his children, siblings and wife Vicki.

STAFF REPORTER