By Timoteus Mashuna
NOTWITHSTANDING his immense contribution to the general socio-economic and political welfare of the nation, generations of present and future Namibians will possibly remember Dr Abraham Iyambo as the “Father of Free Primary Education in Namibia.”
When appointed as Minister of Education, he ensured that parents who had to bear the burden of paying primary school fees for their children since the introduction of formal education no longer would pay such fees from 2013 onwards. It was through the efforts and support of the likes of Dr Iyambo that President Hifikepunye Pohamba declared free primary education in 2013.
Iyambo was born on February 02, 1961 at Oniimwandi village in the present day Oshana Region. Details regarding his early childhood education before he left the country for exile are rather sketchy. It is however known that in 1977, while in exile, he underwent basic language training in Spanish. Citing comments made by Iyambo in an article entitled “Dr Iyambo: My life in Cuba”, Matthew //Gowaseb noted that in preparation for his departure to Cuba, in 1977 Iyambo, together with a group of young Namibians in exile, was sent to Chibia in Angola to study Spanish.
In 1978, he left Angola for Cuba where he undertook four years of study specialising in food chemistry. Citing how he ended up as a food chemist, Iyambo once said: “I wanted to become a pilot and cosmonaut but [Helmut] Angula decided that I should study food chemistry. Together with another Namibian, Annastacia Amunyela, we were sent to an institute specialising in food studies.”
After completing his studies in Havana in 1981, he went back to Angola where he served as a teacher, supervisor, youth leader and instructor at the Namibia Education Centre in Kwanza Sul, Angola. He served in these capacities from 1982 to 1984.
After spending two years providing leadership and imparting knowledge and skills to his fellow youths in exile, Iyambo was sent to the United Kingdom to continue his studies in science. He first took an access course in food studies at the South London College and thereafter took up a Bachelor of Science at the University of Surrey where he graduated in 1990.
With Namibia having gained her independence on the 21st of March 1990, Iyambo returned home to contribute to the socio-economic development of the post-colonial Namibia. In 1994, he worked as Consultant for the United Nations (UN) Food Agricultural Organization (FAO) for the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. The following year, 1995, he became a member of parliament and perhaps owing to his outstanding skills in the fisheries and marine sector, he was appointed as Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources. Two years later, he rose in the ranks and became the Minister of Fisheries and Marine resources until 2010 when he became Minister of Education.
Iyambo also earned a reputation as an outstanding student. Whilst studying food chemistry in Cuba, he graduated as the overall best student at his school.
Narrating his outstanding achievements in school, Iyambo, in an article by //Gowaseb, noted that, “when I completed food chemistry in 1981, I was honoured to have been accorded the position of best student of the school. A tree was planted at the school in my name.”
He died on February 02, 2013.