2007-10-31Staff Report 2 "By Surihe Gaomas WINDHOEK Veteran politician, Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, was officially honoured with a street name, after Krupp Street in Windhoek was re-named after him yesterday. Krupp Street was re-named Andimba Toivo ya Toivo Street. An ex-Robben Island prisoner, Ya Toivo is one of the country's oldest freedom fighters. Speaking at the street re-naming ceremony yesterday, City of Windhoek Mayor, Matheus Shikongo, said the local authority is honoured to bestow the gesture on a man whose name stands tall in the history of the country's liberation struggle. ""This gesture, therefore is a token of recognition and appreciation for the selfless contribution he made to the struggle against colonialism and his tested leadership at the forefront of our national struggle,"" said Shikongo. Shikongo believes that as the names of heroes and leaders gradually appear on street signs around the city, people will feel a sense of pride. ""This means when they walk or drive through the city, it won't feel like they are in someone else's country anymore,"" he added. Responding to a recent article in The Namibian newspaper, the City of Windhoek denied allegations that it disregarded a Cabinet moratorium by renaming Krupp Street after Andimba Toivo ya Toivo. In fact, Shikongo said, the City of Windhoek is mindful of the Cabinet moratorium placed on naming monuments or streets after living people at its 14th ordinary meetings held in August and September this year. ""It should, however, be made clear that Council took this decision (of renaming Krupp Street to Andimba Toivo ya Toivo Street) at its Council meeting on 28 June 2007, long before the said Cabinet moratorium,"" explained Shikongo. Meanwhile, in response to the gesture, Ya Toivo said he remains highly grateful. ""I feel very much humbled and honoured to have a street named after me. I cannot believe it. I am privileged to have been picked out of the many thousands to be named after a street,"" said Ya Toivo. Ya Toivo's close friends including Uncle Paul and ex-Robben Island prisoner, Helao Shituwete, attended the ceremony. " 2007-10-31Staff Report 2