Herman Toivo Ya Toivo is remembered as one of Namibia's most influential liberation struggle icons – a man known not only for his contribution to the country's independence but also for his strong connection with ordinary people.

For his children, however, his legacy is deeply personal.

His twins say growing up, they knew their father as a caring and people-orientated man. But today, they often find themselves facing expectations to follow in his footsteps – a pressure they say is difficult to carry.

To many Namibians, Herman Toivo ya Toivo was a symbol of courage, humility and service.

But to his twins, he was simply their father – a man they remember as someone who cared deeply about their wellbeing and valued his relationship with people.

"We see it differently because he was our father. So we don't see him in the same light that other people see him as. And although we know the sacrifices he made, he had, we appreciate that, and we also appreciate the independence we have because of his sacrifices and many others and their sacrifices. But I think we're grateful," highlighted Nashikoto Ya Toivo.

Growing up with a father whose name is popular in Namibia's history books came with its own challenges.

According to the twins, as they meet people today, they are sometimes reminded of their father's legacy – and with that comes an expectation that they should continue where he left off.

"For me, I believe that there are other ways that I can continue my father's legacy as opposed to being in the structures, actively rising to a certain position, then being, you know, whatever the roles are that people would want us to be in. But at the end of the day, we have to look at who we are first. We are the daughters of a great hero and obviously our mother, but we'll continue to take what we have learned through our upbringing, and then that guides us in what we do," stated Mutaleni Ya Toivo.

"So they've created this image of how or what they thought we were supposed to be like. And once that isn't the case, they are pleasantly surprised."

For them, carrying the Toivo ya Toivo name does not mean becoming a replica of the man their father was.

They say their father's contribution to Namibia is something they respect and cherish, but they also want to be recognised for who they are – with their own personalities, choices and journeys.

"But do I want to live up to that legacy, or do I want to continue their legacy but also try to pave my own? So I think personally, I'd like to do the latter with implementations of different things that we've taken from our parents."

Their story is one of legacy – but also of identity.

As Namibia continues to remember Toivo ya Toivo, his twins say perhaps the greatest way to honour him is not by trying to become him, but by carrying forward the values he taught them while remaining true to themselves.

"One of the things our father was very passionate about was education. And so when we do at some point eventually launch the foundation in his name, it will focus on education, which is something that's fundamental. And it's at a basic, basic level of any child development." 

For the twins, their father's legacy remains a source of pride – but also a reminder that even the children of national icons must be allowed to write their own chapters.

Dr. Nashikoto ya Toivo is a qualified Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, while her twin sister Mutaleni is a master's graduate in architecture. 

She is also a model of note while at the same time serving on an advisory board within the international gaming industry.