Andimba never wavered

Deputy chairperson of the Namibian Former Robben Island Political Prisoners Trust Marten Kapewasha said the late struggle icon Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo never wavered in his commitment to peace and freedom. Ya Toivo has also been eulogised by former South African president Thabo Mbeki as a pioneering architecture of a free Namibia. Until the time of his death, Ya Toivo served as chairperson of the trust, which was formed to look after the plight of former Robben Island political prisoners. Ya Toivo, who died last week Friday at the age of 92, served 16 years on Robben Island. “Ya Toivo was a person of his own voice who stood firm, a man who stood his ground and never wavered or retreated from his determination,” said Kapewasha. “We as former Robben Island prisoners have really lost a pillar we could always lean on, we have lost a friend, a comrade who inspired many of us and hopefully many young ones have also been inspired to follow in his footsteps. We convey our condolences to his whole family, especially his wife and children.” In an interview with Namibian Sun, Kapewasha said he was sentenced to Robben Island for eight years in 1974 together with youth and sport minister Jerry Ekandjo and Nghidinwa Jacob. They were found guilty of sabotage by the South African apartheid regime. He said on Robben Island they were put in single cells that were adjacent to the section that housed Ya Toivo and former South African struggle icon Nelson Mandela. However, they were not allowed to see or communicate with the older inmates. “But we developed a way to communicate by writing messages on toilet paper and because the paper is so thin and soft we could roll it into very small pieces that we would sellotape it on a small stone and just throw it when we were allowed to walk around,” he said. He said they only met Ya Toivo briefly in 1981 upon their release when he and Mandela asked to see them. “They were both strong and gave us strong advice that we are still young and should make sure that when we go back we must continue with the liberation struggle. I then met him again when he was released in 1984 for a little while and then after independence,” he said.“We are mourning, but also celebrating his life. His spirit and legacy will remain forever in our people. We used to share whatever we got from donations, but members are suffering now, because there is very little income. We will however work hard to revive the trust and keep it going, especially in memory of our comrade Ya Toivo.” Principled and militantMeanwhile, Mbeki offered his condolences to the bereaved family as well as the people of Namibia on the loss of Ya Toivo.“Comrade Toivo Ya Toivo belongs to a galaxy of stars - a generation of principled, dependable and militant leaders for the liberation of Africa, whose commitment to freedom, justice, and equality was nothing but exemplary,” said Mbeki.“Today this giant of our people is no more, his wise counsel having been lost and his voice only heard from a distant past, he still has important lessons for us to heed, as he recently reminded us when he said that 'I depart from this earth a happy person because Namibia is free, and you that are left behind, you have a duty to make it and not break it'. So, as we bid farewell to this true African giant, who has run his race with distinction we are reminded once again that the struggle for a new Africa continues.”Ya Toivo will be laid to rest at the Heroes Acre next week Saturday. NAMENE HELMICH

Andimba never wavered

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-28

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Andimba never wavered

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-28

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