President Jacob Zuma has, on behalf of the Republic of South Africa and its people, sent his warm sentiments and congratulatory message to renowned Pan Africanist, Namibian liberation struggle veteran and his fellow freedom fighter Mr Andimba Herman Toivo Ya Toivo on his 90th Birthday on 22 August 2014.

“It is indeed a singular honour and privilege to join the people of the Republic of Namibia in celebrating the birthday of this struggle veteran and former Robben Island prisoner, Comrade Andimba Herman Toivo Ya Toivo,” said President Zuma. “He is one of the gallant heroes of the African liberation struggle, not only for his country, but for South Africa and the entire oppressed world at large. He fought for Namibia’s freedom both in South Africa in the early 1950s and in Namibia from the late 1950s until his long period of imprisonment in 1968, and after his release from Robben Island in 1984.”

A former Namibian Minister in various portfolio’s, Mr Ya Toivo is a teacher by training as well as a World War II veteran, founding member of the liberation organisations Ovamboland People’s Congress (OPC) and Ovamboland Peoples Organisation (OPO), which were forerunners of the South West African People’s Organisation (SWAPO). Mr Toivo Ya Toivo was sentenced by the erstwhile South West oppressive regime to 20 years in Robben Island where he forged fraternal bonds with other freedom fighters especially leaders of the South African Communist Party, uMkhonto Wesizwe and the African National Congress including former President Nelson Mandela.

The President’s Special Advisor and Spokesperson Mr Mac Maharaj will attend the birthday celebrations in Namibia on Friday.

“We wish him a happy 90th birthday,” said President Zuma.