Namibian independence leader Andimba toivo ya Toivo died June 9 at age 92 at his home from a suspected heart attack in the suburb of capital Windhoek.
Toivo was one of the longest serving Robben Island prisoners from Namibia. He served for sixteen years and shared the same section of South Africa’s Terrorism Act with former late South African President Nelson Mandela.
The leader was released in 1984 and thereafter he committed to be building a democratic Namibia.
He was a founding member of the South West African People’s Organization (Swapo) as well as its predecessor – Ovamboland People’s Organization (OPO).
Namibian President Hage Geingob officially announced the death of the former freedom fighter with a message of condolence. The news went viral on social media.
Geingob said, “The icon of the Namibian struggle and national hero Comrade Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo is no more… I express collective sorrow to the bereaved family.”
African National Congress spokesperson Zizi Kodwa described him as a hero, freedom fighter, icon of Namibia’s struggle for self-determination and loyal friend of the South African people.
ANC also described Toivo as a progressive internationalist and pan-Africanist.
Consoling his death the ANC continued South Africa has lost a true friend and the leader has left an indelible mark in the history Africa.
Condolences were also sent from Nelson Mandela Foundation on his death.
Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO Sello Hatang said Toivo was determined to gain independence for Namibians.
He added Mandela described him once as a quite militant and called him a formidable freedom fighter.
