By Stefanus Nashama

The wife of the late Namibian liberation icon Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, says the gesture by South Africa to honour her husband with a statue on Robben Island is a recognition for all Namibians and those who contributed in various efforts the country’s armed liberation struggle. 

His statue will be unveiled on 27 September in line with a long-standing African tradition of honouring fallen heroes. Ya Toivo, a towering figure in Namibia’s struggle for independence, passed away on 9 June 2017 at the age of 92. His influence extended far beyond Namibia’s borders, shaping the course of freedom movements across the continent. 

He spent 16 years imprisoned on Robben Island, sharing a cell block with late South African icon Nelson Mandela, who was not only a fellow freedom fighter but also a close personal friend. Speaking to Confidente this week, his widow, Adv. Vicki ya Toivo, maintained that: “I received the invitation earlier in June from the Robben Island authorities, were they asked the family to endorse their intention to install the statue of my husband, as one of six to be installed. 

“I said it is a great honour but we should not see this as an honour for Andimba alone but an honour for Namibia.” She added that the statue should be viewed in context of the role that the Namibian hero played in the bigger picture of the liberation struggle which was waged by many others.  “Someone told me that Andimba not only represented SWAPO and Namibia against the South African apartheid regime, but he did this also on behalf of the people of South Africa,” she added. 

According to her, Ya Toivo was a devoted freedom fighter who was only preoccupied with the total emancipation of the Namibian people and the building of a free country, rather than personal rewards.  “In my own words, the liberation struggle was a mass movement with many stories that have not been recorded and told.  It is important to develop these stories for the current and future generations and to tell how the Namibian people gained independence and what it means.”

She added that with her husband they registered a foundation in his name with the purpose of advancing the values that he represented. “For many reasons including his death and that of other trustees, we put it [foundation] on hold. We will bring it into operationalization to advance the values and aspirations for which he believed in. 

On whether, Ya Toivo has been adequately honoured for his illustrious role in the history of Namibia and Southern Africa, she said: “There is a saying that he often used in Oshiwambo, which translated means, you cannot smell your own breath. “It is up to other people to decide on how to honour and recognise the contribution that people have made… But Andimba never sought for positions and recognition in one way of the other.” 

Former cabinet minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana highlighted the significance of the tribute, noting that the statue is a fitting recognition of Ya Toivo’s immense contributions. “Some of us were motivated by him and his messages. This really encouraged us to do what we could to liberate the country,” Iivula-Ithana said.

She emphasised that the statue symbolizes all who were imprisoned on Robben Island. “Statues for all of those who were there cannot be there. Let all those who preceded us continue to rest in peace.” Jerry Ekandjo, another former Robben Island inmate who spent eight years in prison, expressed cautious anticipation about the unveiling. 

“I am a delegate, but can we just wait for the ministry to come out clear. Until now, I do not know what we are going to do there,” Ekandjo said. The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture is coordinating a trip for Namibian delegates including the media to witness the unveiling ceremony. However, at the time of going to the press, the ministry did not provide more details on what Namibians should expect from the unveiling.