Ya Toivo an icon of nationhood – Namwandi

By Patience Nyangove
INTERNATIONAL University of Management (IUM) founder and former Minister of Educa­tion, Dr David Namwandi, has described the late Herman Andimba Toivo ya Toivo as an icon of the country’s nationhood.
Namwandi said that Ya Toivo was a unique lead­er, who had genuinely dedicated his entire life to the liberation of Namibia.
“The life of a human being is like a house with four corners. When you are in front of a house, you see a door and perhaps two windows. When you go to the southern side, you see two windows, and at the back, one or no windows; and if it happens that you are only privileged to see the front side, you will always argue that the house has two win­dows and a door, but the one who is only privileged to see the back, says the house has no or just one window. But in the case of Andimba it’s different,” Namwandi said. “Everybody who came across him will tell you who Ya Toivo was. This icon of our war of nationhood is unique. He was unique, because he was genuinely selfless, and gave his entire life to the cause of our liberation. “Those who came across Ya Toivo can testify that he had a pleasant personality, friendly but firm in what he believed in. I am glad I had an opportunity to rub shoulders with him,” Namwandi said. He added that he was glad that IUM had honoured the late revolutionary with its highest recognition in 2014.
“I am happy I influenced IUM to honour him with the highest recognition of an honorary doc­torate degree in 2014. We will surely miss him. May his soul rest in eternal peace, while we promise that his legacy shall live on, to inspire generations, yet to be born. Salute!”