Renowned Namibian freedom fighter Andimba Toivo ya Toivo to Finland
Press release 168/2003
7 August, 2003
The most famous Namibian freedom fighter Andimba Toivo ya Toivo will arrive on a visit to Finland on Monday, 11 August, at the invitation of Finnish Minister of Justice Johannes Koskinen. During his one-week visit Toivo ya Toivo will meet President Tarja Halonen, former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari, Minister for Foreign Affairs Erkki Tuomioja and other old friends. On Wednesday, 13 August, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Finland-Namibia Association will organise a meeting with the public for the minister Toivo ya Toivo and his delegation at the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission Church.
Finns came to know Toivo ya Toivo as a founding member of Swapo, an organisation struggling for the independence of Namibia. He was convicted for terrorism and sentenced to the Robben Island prison for 16 years where he became acquainted with the other famous Southern African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela. After the independence of Namibia in 1990 Toivo ya Toivo was elected a member of the constituent assembly and since then he has actively contributed towards the democratisation of his country. From 1990 to 1999 he was the Minister of Mines and Energy and until 2002 the Minister of Labour. At present the 79-year-old Toivo ya Toivo is the Minister of Prisons and Correctional Services.
The relations between Finland and Namibia, dating back a hundred years, were redefined during Namibia's independence struggle which lasted for more than two decades and during which time Finland actively promoted the Namibian cause in international fora.
There will be no press conference, but interviews can be organised on request during Monday, 11 August.
Requests for interviews and more information on the visit's programme: Marja-Leena Suvanto, tel. 09 1605 6379, gsm 040 5945 239 or by e-mail: [email protected]
Major milestones in the history of Namibia (in Finnish)(Link to another website.)
Bilateral cooperation between Finland and Namibia (in Finnish)(Link to another website.)