Way back in the 1970’s, there was a stocky striker who took it upon himself and single handedly challenged the so many prevailing injustices and oppression by spreading the gospel of freedom to the marginalized by encouraging them to resist the apartheid system through the beautiful game of football.
This man was retired Namibian diplomat one Izaak Swartz, better known as “Izallo” in football circles during his days at the Augustinem High School, a footballer of note, a teacher, musician and an uncompromising political activist.
Born in Rehoboth in 1950, Izallo had a good upbringing and valued education seriously and above all, he was blessed with a sweet left foot and pace which allowed him to outsmart many opposing defenders despite his relatively small frame and lack of height.
He went on to enjoy success with Ramblers where he played alongside the legendary !Noas Gariseb, Doc Naobeb, Tarirob, Zika Martin, Andries Bekeur and the Engelbrecht siblings, as well as the acrobatic Japhet Isaacs for the exciting Katutura outfit.
The club came into life after Rocco Swallows FC management failed to persuade Jungle Boys’ ball juggler Petrus “Nerab” Gariseb to cross the floor. The end solution was to have the two teams amalgamated in order to form one strong team that could challenge and bring the dominance of Orlando Pirates and Pirates (Dolam) to an end.
Izallo was among very few lucky footballers to have the chance of rubbing shoulders with one of Namibia’s most gifted footballers of all time. Here is his full story as he also relates how authorities tried by all means to silence him by transferring him to Windhoek to keep him out of school politics.
WINDHOEK – Modern football has certainly lost its spark and this is because there are just no more personalities in the domestic game as compared to the good old days when football had highly committed young men as obedient servants who would go to the length of sacrificing their livelihood just for the beautiful game.
As with many left-footed or left-handed human creatures, Izallo was a genius in many aspects of life and everything he had ever dared to lay his hands on would turn into gold.
He started playing street football with his buddies with plastic balls and tennis balls but the beautiful game could not contain his undying desire to hit tennis balls on the tennis courts. Izallo loved tennis so much that his buddies would always struggle to drag him off the tennis courts to play football with them.
“Apart from the popular street football, we used to play competitively while at primary school in Mariental against schools from Stampriet, Goachanas, Maltahöhe and Aranos,” recalls the humorous Izallo, 63, with a bright smile on his baby face.
Izallo grew up knowing that he wanted to be a great tennis player when he moved from his adopted hometown Mariental to Windhoek in pursuit of education that would equip him to advocate his political gospel in a properly thought-out articulated manner.
“When I arrived at Augustineum in 1968 I only played class football but would mostly concentrate on tennis because it was my first love.” But it was not long before he developed itchy feet and found himself at the Welwitschias High School in Khorixas where he continued to play football with the school’s first team.
He quickly retreated to Augustineum High School and joined Southern Empire, a football team mainly comprising of students from the southern part of the country. Luckily for him, the sports crazy late Meester Tsuseb was on hand – thus paving the way for Izallo to continue with his tennis without any hindrance.
“Football was always going to be my second priority but for some strange reason I eventually changed alliance and started playing football seriously to the extent that I was included in the school’s first team where I played alongside legendary shot-stopper Japhet ‘Bump Jive’ Hellao.”
He still has fond memories of his club football at Augustineum. “Those were the good old days and I sincerely wish one could turn back the clock.
“I vividly remember one particular match we played against Windhoek City FC on campus with Japhet Hellao in goal for them. That man was immortal and a marvel to watch between the sticks – he thwarted each and every goal attempt as we played four consecutive draws in the final of the popular top-four knockout tournament. School football was very competitive in those days and many of the leading football clubs drew the bulk of their star players from students.”
He cites former Brave Warriors mentor and Black Africa’s midfield general Rusten Mogane as a special footballer. “In all honesty, I used to admire that boy, he was a football genius and I really liked the casual fashion in which he went about his business on and off the field. Rusten was always an easygoing happy, jolly fellow who used to crack lots of jokes but a real menace on the football pitch that I even named my second son after him.”
Upon completion of his studies, Izallo found himself back in Mariental where he worked as a school teacher where he continued his football career with Shoe Shine Boys FC before stints with Bee Bob Brothers, Life Fighters and Black Marrocco Chiefs.
“I formed a very good relationship with Laurence Boois and we won lots of knockout cup competitions.”
However, his constant flirtation with politics did no sit exactly well with the masters of apartheid and he was soon dispatched to the city of lights to take up the position of subject advisor to give perpetrators some breathing space, or so they thought.
In Windhoek, he immediately joined forces with the exciting football club Ramblers in Katutura where he played alongside great footballers including the legendary Petrus !Nerab Gariseb and Sika Martin.
Ramblers was a much-adored unit by hundreds of football revelers for playing the most attractive football in the business, while showing lots of promise but the club for some strange reason folded under mysterious circumstances – an unfortunate situation Izallo blames on poor leadership.
“We had a great squad laden with highly talented footballers but the main obstacle was the lack of leadership with a clear vision to steer the club into the right direction. We used to beat a lot of big teams but somehow we just could never lay our hands on major trophies.”
Izallo also had a stint with coastal outfit Eleven Arrows and finally wrapped up his football career at Pirates Dolam.
“It was the same old story at Pirates, the discipline factor! Each and every time we were scheduled to play a league match, our preparations would be preceded by unnecessary infighting over the usual administrative shenanigans. The club was constantly made to fork out large amounts of money in outstanding fines since we were sanctioned almost every week – ranging from our chairman’s non-appearance at the weekly compulsory meeting or either Moles Owoseb would fail to turn up to officiate at a league match.
“Nevertheless, I enjoyed my football and will always relish my countless tussles with former Black Beauty Chiefs and Black Africa mercurial midfielder Lucky Boostander. That boy was absolutely in a class of his own but the likes of Albert Louw, Doc Hardley, Pius Eigowab, Oscar Mengo, Haban Adams, Pius Hummel, Terry Cooper, Garincha Hupita and the Chelsea trio of Richo Francis, Pieces and Orlando Damaseb were all exceptional footballers.”
A self-taught musician who has mastered the finer points of how to tickle the ivories on the keyboard – Izallo is equally at home with all brass instruments, indeed a Jack of all trades as he also excelled in karate. He trained 400 young karatekas during his time at Augustineum.
Unlike many former footballers who have fallen on bad times after their playing days – Izallo was handsomely rewarded for his fight against the evils of apartheid with a diplomatic plum position of second secretary for finance and administration.
Izallo served in the Namibian High Commissions in African countries such as Botswana, Nigeria and Zambia with distinction before retiring last year.
By Carlos ‘CK’ Kambaekwa