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A statue of the late Namibian anti-apartheid activist Andimba Toivo ya Toivo was unveiled at Robben Island near Cape Town on Saturday. Ya Toivo, a co-founder of Swapo, was one of thousands of political prisoners incarcerated at Robben Island, having spent 16 years behind bars for his activism. The South African government said the unveiling of six statues, including that of former president Nelson Mandela, at the island’s precinct marks a historic moment. South Africa’s minister of sport, arts and culture, Gayton McKenzie, said Ya Toivo was a major figure in Namibia’s struggle for independence from colonial and South African rule. “He forged deep bonds, including with Madiba. He refused to compromise and only accepted release in 1984 when many of his comrades were set free,” he said. McKenzie said Robben Island was as much a part of Namibia’s national memory, through Ya Toivo, as it is for South Africa. “His statue here speaks of many things. Most importantly, it shows that Namibians and South Africans are brothers and sisters. We fought together, we died together, we were imprisoned together, and we gained freedom together,” he said. The occasion also saw the unveiling of a wall of remembrance bearing the names of former inmates. During her address, Namibia’s minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture, Sanet Steenkamp, said the occasion provided a platform for reunion and healing for former prisoners and their families. “The struggle was not just against oppression, but for the dignity of national identity. Today, as Namibians and as your brothers and sisters, we are deeply honoured to be in the presence of all living bearers of this history,” she said. Ya Toivo’s widow, Vicki ya Toivo, was also present, along with relatives and friends of other Namibians who had been imprisoned on the island. The event was hosted by the South African department of sport, arts and culture, in collaboration with the Association for Ex-Political Prisoners and the Robben Island Museum.
