How to Pronounce John Ya-Otto
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Feb 10, 1938 Died on 25 May 1994 (aged 56)
Namibian trade unionist
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John Ya Otto, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Family, Facts, Age, Net Worth, Biography and More in FamedBorn.com
About John Ya Otto
- John Ya-Otto (10 February 1938 - 25 May 1994) was a Namibian trade unionist, politician, author and diplomat.
- Ya-Otto began a career in politics following the 1959 Old Location Massacre in Windhoek's Old Location black township.
- Eventually, Ya-Otto fled into exile and worked as SWAPO's labor minister.
- He established relationships with trade unionists around the world.
- In 1981, he published his only book Battlefront Namibia, detailing SWAPO's and his own struggle for independence.
- He was arrested in 1966 following the Battle of Ongulumbashe, which was the opening attack by SWAPO on South African military and police in northern Namibia.
- He and 38 other SWAPO activists were arrested, with most receiving 10-year prison sentences.
- However, due to a lack of case against him, Ya-Otto received a five-year suspended sentence and was released a month later.
- Following independence, he returned to Namibia and was elected to the National Assembly of Namibia with SWAPO.
- Later, he was assigned the position of Ambassador to Angola due to failing health.
- He died in Luanda on 25 May 1994.
