The contract labour system was met with objections for its harsh treatment and human rights abuses by Namibian nationalists both in the country and abroad.
During the discussions on political action, the group formed the Ovamboland People's Congress (OPC) on 2 August 1957 under the leadership of Ya Toivo.
[5] Among the founding members were Jacob Kuhangua, Mzee Kaukungwa, Eliaser Tuhadeleni, Peter Mweshihange, Solomon Mifima, Maxton Mutongulume, Jariretundu Kozonguizi, Emil Appolus, Andreas Shipanga, Ottiliè Schimming and Kenneth Abrahams.
Michael Scott, who were based in the United States, documenting human rights violations in South West Africa.
In December 1958, Ya Toivo was expelled from Cape Town shortly after the petition made headlines in the New York Times and was deported together with Jacob Kuhangua and Jariretundu Kozonguizi among others.
After spending a few days in Keetmanshoop and then Windhoek the police were determined to deport him further to Ovamboland, where he was placed under house arrest in the kraal of the Ondonga Chief Johannes Kambonde.
On 19 April 1959, Sam Nujoma, Jacob Kuhangua, Louis Nelengani, Emil Appolus and Lucas Haleinge Nepela officially established the Ovamboland People's Organization (OPO) as the successor of the OPC at the Old Location in Windhoek.
Instead the idea to transform OPO into a pan-ethnic national liberation movement with a mandate to unite all people of South West Africa was birthed.
Ya Toivo, Eliaser Tuhadeleni and other SWAPO leaders were able to facilitate the logistics that led to the establishment of the military bases inside the country.
After the battle, about 63 SWAPO freedom fighters inside the country including Ya Toivo, Eliaser Tuhadeleni, John Otto Nankudhu, Immanuel Shifidi, Nathaniel Maxuilili and Helao Shityuwete were arrested at different occasions and air-lifted to Pretoria to face trial.