The family of the late Andimba Toivo ya Toivo will launch a foundation in his honour next year to preserve his legacy and the role he played in Namibia's quest for freedom.

The widow, Vicki ya Toivo, said this at the commemoration of Ya Toivo's centenary held at the Heroes Acre on Thursday.

The family was joined by those who once knew Ya Toivo, who died on June 9, 2017.

Vicki ya Toivo described her husband as a man who dedicated his life to the Namibian people and believed in the potential of young people. 

"As he said, it is up to us to make it or to break it. He was confident that the Namibian people would achieve economic emancipation. He didn't think it would be easy, but he had confidence that young people could serve the nation. And optimistic about the future of the country, the family decided to make it a centenary year."

Ya Toivo joined the liberation struggle in the early 1950s, and his activism later led to the formation of the Ovamboland People's Congress, now the Swapo Party. 

In 1967, he was charged under the Terrorism Act and sentenced to 20 years on Robben Island Prison, but served 16 years.

After his release from prison, Ya Toivo continued to play a significant role post-independence and, among others, served as the Swapo Party Secretary General and member of the Constituent Assembly, which adopted the Namibian Constitution.

"He was subjected to detention and house arrest, but he would be able to get out and start organising Swapo all over the north, and he used a bicycle to sign people up for Swapo. A lot of people will tell you they were signed up by him."

President Nangolo Mbumba also paid tribute to a friend and comrade. "We might doubt what the younger generation will say or do, but for them, Ya Toivo has done his duty better than most, so we should not worry about him. What he said anyone in exile would tell you was that he said the struggle would be long and bitter, and they knew that, and they transferred that to Namibia."

Family friend Ben Amadhila said, "Ya Toivo did not make it to 100 years alive, but you are the one to carry his memory and legacy—the pain he felt that made 100 years fresh in our memories."

"We are here to celebrate his steadfastness and perseverance during the long struggle for our nationhood, to draw inspiration from his life, and to reflect on and say tributes to the lives and times of our revolutionary legend Andimba Toivo ya Toivo," added Nahas Angula.

Family and friends laid wreaths representing a circle of eternal life for Andimba Toivo ya Tovo.