As the Namibian nation commemorates the legendary Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo, a life-size statue of him will be unveiled on Robben Island in South Africa. This tribute is part of the historic Robben Island Prisoners Reunion, a key event celebrating the sacrifices of those who fought for the liberation of Namibia and South Africa. While this is a significant symbolic gesture, it raises a critical question: Is this enough for a leader whose legacy helped shape the very foundations of an independent Namibia? Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo deserves more than just a statue on a distant island; he deserves recognition that transcends fleeting moments and lives on in the fabric of Namibia’s identity.
Toivo Ya Toivo was more than a mere political prisoner; he was a founding figure in the South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo) and one of the most influential leaders of Namibia’s liberation struggle. His imprisonment on Robben Island is a testament to his role in the fight against apartheid, but it also highlights a much deeper truth: he was a figure that apartheid authorities feared and sought to isolate. Unlike other Namibian political prisoners, Toivo Ya Toivo was placed in the South African section of Robben Island, away from his Namibian comrades, because the apartheid regime recognised his exceptional leadership and influence. They deemed him too dangerous, too powerful a figure to be allowed to interact with his fellow prisoners.
This deliberate isolation further underscores the monumental importance of Toivo Ya Toivo’s role in Namibia’s struggle for freedom. His ideas, his unwavering commitment to justice, and his courage were considered a direct threat to the apartheid system. Yet, today, his legacy is confined to a statue on Robben Island, a tribute that, while significant, does not even begin to capture the depth of his contributions.
A legacy of sacrifice
Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo’s journey was one of profound sacrifice. His involvement in the Omugulugwombashe confrontation in 1966 marked the beginning of Namibia’s armed liberation struggle. After being arrested in the wake of this pivotal event, Toivo Ya Toivo endured 16 years of imprisonment on Robben Island. His suffering was not only personal but also a sacrifice for the generations to come. Yet, through it all, he never wavered in his commitment to the freedom of his people. His courage on Robben Island, enduring brutal conditions and systemic abuse, is a legacy that should be memorialised in more than just a statue.
This brings us to a bitter truth: While the statue on Robben Island is a powerful symbol of Toivo Ya Toivo’s bravery, it is not enough. It does not fully acknowledge the breadth of his influence, nor does it ensure that future generations of Namibians will be taught about his extraordinary life. This is especially poignant given that his imprisonment was not simply the consequence of his activism; it was a direct result of his status as one of the most influential leaders in the liberation movement.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, in her recent statement, referred to the statue unveiling as a symbol of Namibian sacrifice. While this is an important recognition of Toivo Ya Toivo’s role in the liberation struggle, it reflects a troubling pattern: Namibians are often quick to honour their heroes with grand speeches and fleeting tributes at funerals, but much of the commitment to these heroes evaporates with time. Foundations are promised, monuments are erected, but after a few years, these promises fade, and the heroes who fought for Namibia’s freedom are left to be remembered only by their families, close friends, and occasional historical accounts.
Toivo Ya Toivo deserves more than this. He was a key figure in the founding of Swapo, and the struggle for independence cannot be separated from his role in that movement. Yet, the notion that the appropriate tribute to his contributions is a statue on a distant island, far from the land he fought for, feels inadequate. Should a man who was a central figure in the liberation of Namibia be memorialised solely in a remote part of South Africa, or should his name be etched into the very heart of the country he helped to liberate?
A national disservice: forgetting our heroes
A statue on Robben Island is undoubtedly a significant tribute, but it is an incomplete one. The Namibian government has a responsibility to ensure that Toivo Ya Toivo’s legacy is more than just a footnote in the nation’s history. If we are to honour him properly, his contributions must be integrated into Namibia’s national consciousness. This requires more than just symbolism; it demands tangible recognition that reflects his influence on our nation’s present and future.
This could mean renaming airports, schools, or even towns in his honour. Andimba Ya Toivo’s legacy could be embedded in a national holiday dedicated to the liberation struggle, one that serves not only as a remembrance of those who fought but also as an educational opportunity for future generations. It could mean scholarships, programmes, and institutions focused on the principles for which Toivo Ya Toivo stood: justice, equality, and social transformation.
What is truly needed is a holistic effort to ensure that Namibians, especially the youth, understand the full significance of Toivo Ya Toivo’s life. The Namibian government, with its vast resources and national mandate, has the ability to make this happen. If we are serious about honouring the sacrifices of those who fought for our freedom, we must create opportunities for future generations to engage with their legacy on a daily basis.
Toivo Ya Toivo was not just a man who endured suffering for his beliefs; he was a man who embodied the spirit of Namibian resistance and the values that continue to guide us today. A statue on Robben Island is an important step in acknowledging his courage, but it should be seen as only the beginning of a deeper, more meaningful commitment to his legacy.
We must ask ourselves: how will we honour Toivo Ya Toivo’s ideals of justice and freedom in our everyday lives? A statue can serve as a reminder, but it is the actions we take in his name, policies, values, and institutions that will ensure his memory endures.
While the unveiling of Toivo Ya Toivo’s statue on Robben Island is a step toward recognising his role in the liberation struggle, it is far from enough. The Namibian government, and indeed all Namibians, must go beyond symbolic gestures and commit to honouring his legacy through actions that reflect his impact on our country’s history and future. Only then can we say that we have truly honoured one of Namibia’s greatest sons.
