2014-04-04Mathias Haufiku "WINDHOEK - Two Swapo heavyweights clashed in the National Assembly over the way in which liberation struggle icon Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo is being treated. The verbal crossfire started when both Kazenambo Kazenambo and Peya Mushelenga made known their displeasure with the manner in which Ya Toivo is being portrayed, the two also expressing their unhappiness about a local daily accusing Ya Toivo of wanting money for interviews. Kazenambo, affectionately known as KK, jumped up to show his indignation and fumed that the deputy minister of defence Peter Ilonga should “go to hell’ after Ilonga said the creation of trust funds or payment for interviews to share past experiences should not be generalised. “Let others speak, this is not your personal place Ilonga, go to hell,” thundered Kazenambo before fellow MP Teopolina Mushelenga calmed him down. Ilonga did not directly respond to Kazenambo’s cutting remarks. Kazenambo said there are people singing “Tuna tuu”, a hymn in the Ehangano (Oshiwambo songbook) usually sung at funerals: “I can tell you that Ya Toivo is not going anywhere and that he is a leader just like any other leader.” Kazenambo and Peya Mushelenga said they were both saddened to read how Ya Toivo is being portrayed as merely being in search of money. Ilonga, who like Ya Toivo was also jailed on Robben Island, said the matter should not be generalised to make it seem as if all former Robben Island prisoners want to be paid to share their past experiences. “This issue of the liberation struggle heritage, I do not think that researchers will only research contemporary issues. As for the issue of Ya Toivo, let us not emotionally start attacking people, nobody will prevent any Robben Island prisoner from selling his story,” said Ilonga. “We read the newspaper but we were not sensitive like others, if you hate somebody then say it. I only found out in the newspaper that Ya Toivo has a trust, so this issue must not be generalised,” he emphasised. “What will the South Africans think of us if they see how we are treating Ya Toivo, especially if you consider the way they honour and talk about him,” said an emotional Peya Mushelenga. “I do not want to mention names, all I am saying is that those of us who are talking too much are not even prepared to go through 10 percent of the experiences Ya Toivo went through, that is how tough it was. So we must learn to respect the feelings of others and not dramatise things,” said Peya Mushelenga. He said there is nothing wrong copyrighting lifetime experiences because it is done everywhere in the world. Kazenambo and Illonga also had a verbal brawl shortly after a Swapo Party Central Committee meeting during which they traded insults, pointed fingers and warned each other last year. The latest clash is a clear indication of tense relations still existing between the two. By Mathias Haufiku" 2014-04-04Mathias Haufiku
