Tributes flow for Ya Toivo as hundreds celebrate his birthday

“TURNING 80 years is no joke,” Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, Minister of Prisons and Correctional Services, remarked at his birthday party in Katutura on Saturday.

“Those who reach that age have gone through thick and thin in their lives,” said Ya Toivo. And from the tributes that flowed, it was clear that all agreed that he has led a remarkable life.It was a day of remembrance of the hardships that shaped one of the country’s most lauded freedom fighters and of giving thanks that he had been blessed to reap the benefits to which he had dedicated the greater part of his life.”This is a man who has stood out as the embodiment of the dedication, courage and commitment the fight the cause until freedom became a reality in our country,” said Prime Minister Theo-Ben Gurirab who spoke on behalf of President Sam Nujoma.”You have served our people, you have remained faithful.”Ministers, parliamentarians, members of the diplomatic corps, family members and citizens joined special birthday celebrations at the UN Plaza on Saturday afternoon.Numerous tributes from family and friends interspersed with music and cultural performances were the order of the day.As a protege of Ya Toivo during the liberation struggle, Minister of Higher Education, Training and Employment Creation Nahas Angula described his teacher as “a legend and at the same time a down-to-earth man of the people”.Angula said he had been inspired by the life of Ya Toivo which had been “as fascinating as it has been dramatic”.Former Robben Island prisoners who travelled to Windhoek to join the festivities recollected their days of imprisonment together and their discussions on liberating their countries while they worked in the quarry on the island.Presenting Ya Toivo with a traditional spear, former Robben Island inmate David Moisi encouraged him to continue the fight for Namibia to attain economic independence.”The relationship between the struggle masses of South Africa and the struggle masses of Namibia has been sealed in blood,” he said.An anticipated live video conference link with former South African President Nelson Mandela did not materialise.But, as the day drew to a close, it was time for the man of the moment to acknowledge the many guests who had come to wish him well.Ya Toivo attributed his tenaciousness and courage to his family, fellow former Robben Island prisoners and politicians.”Namibia is a reality and I’m proud to be a Namibian.I’m a Namibian who continues to serve humanity for a better life for all,” said Ya Toivo, stressing that eradication of disease was key to overcoming poverty.And from the tributes that flowed, it was clear that all agreed that he has led a remarkable life.It was a day of remembrance of the hardships that shaped one of the country’s most lauded freedom fighters and of giving thanks that he had been blessed to reap the benefits to which he had dedicated the greater part of his life.”This is a man who has stood out as the embodiment of the dedication, courage and commitment the fight the cause until freedom became a reality in our country,” said Prime Minister Theo-Ben Gurirab who spoke on behalf of President Sam Nujoma.”You have served our people, you have remained faithful.”Ministers, parliamentarians, members of the diplomatic corps, family members and citizens joined special birthday celebrations at the UN Plaza on Saturday afternoon.Numerous tributes from family and friends interspersed with music and cultural performances were the order of the day.As a protege of Ya Toivo during the liberation struggle, Minister of Higher Education, Training and Employment Creation Nahas Angula described his teacher as “a legend and at the same time a down-to-earth man of the people”.Angula said he had been inspired by the life of Ya Toivo which had been “as fascinating as it has been dramatic”.Former Robben Island prisoners who travelled to Windhoek to join the festivities recollected their days of imprisonment together and their discussions on liberating their countries while they worked in the quarry on the island.Presenting Ya Toivo with a traditional spear, former Robben Island inmate David Moisi encouraged him to continue the fight for Namibia to attain economic independence.”The relationship between the struggle masses of South Africa and the struggle masses of Namibia has been sealed in blood,” he said.An anticipated live video conference link with former South African President Nelson Mandela did not materialise.But, as the day drew to a close, it was time for the man of the moment to acknowledge the many guests who had come to wish him well.Ya Toivo attributed his tenaciousness and courage to his family, fellow former Robben Island prisoners and politicians.”Namibia is a reality and I’m proud to be a Namibian.I’m a Namibian who continues to serve humanity for a better life for all,” said Ya Toivo, stressing that eradication of disease was key to overcoming poverty.