Death has once again struck like lightning in the annals of domestic football – this time hitting the country’s oldest football club Tigers, better known as “Ingweinyama”.
Just as news of the sad passing of Tigers protégé Mentos Hipondoka, began to sink in, more shocking news greeted mourners when news broke out that former Tigers’ stalwart Zacharias ‘Zackey” Ipinge has been reunited with his ancestors – a day after young Mentos has taken a bow from the game of life at the fairly young age of 31.
Apart from stopping marauding strikers right in their tracks during his playing days as a robust no-nonsense fullback Zackey was a much sought-after tailor by trade.
For many years, he was employed by renowned Windhoek-based men’s outfitters Pfohls before he retired to start his own tailoring business operating from his home in Claudius Kandovazu in the Donkerhoek residential area of Katutura.
A Jack-of-all-trades, Bra Zacks would double as a casual “Bouncer” during popular wedding ceremonies at the Katutura Community Hall. The strongly built fellow with reddish eyes used to command great respect or rather instil fear into the township’s real toughies and hooligans trying to sneak into the fully-packed hall uninvited.
Bra Zacks barely wore a smile on his permanently scary face and would always let his favourite shambok do the talking, as he lashed out at troublemakers with brutal force.
He at some stage, and without the slightest provocation, angrily charged at young boys playing around in the neigbhourhood telling them in no uncertain terms to keep their mouths zipped because they were apparently disturbing his dozing brood of chickens. That was now Bra Zacks for you!
In today’s edition of Tales of the Legends, New Era Sport brings to you, our esteemed readers, funny tales, cousined by good humour from the late Bra Zacks, as we mourn and at the same time celebrate the life of a jolly fellow, unique character, likable dude but often very naughty “Toppie” with unpredictable swinging moods.
By Carlos “CK’
Kambaekwa
WINDHOEK – History reveals that the late Zackey Ipinge, 77, was not exactly the greatest or the most entertaining athlete on the football field skill-wise, but alas, what he lacked in skill, he made up with his never-say-die attitude coupled with uncompromising man-to-man marking and manner in which he dished out his traditional bone-crunching tackles.
A trusted soldier, Bra Zacks was a natural right-footed fullback, who spent most of his playing career manning the Tigers’ rear guard at right back and would often switch to the left side of defence whenever the need arose.
An extremely hard nut to crack, Bra Zacks was generally regarded as one of the most hard-tackling and reliable fullbacks in the business.
Bra Zacks was born Zacharias Ipinge on December 12, 1937, in the northern copper mining town, Tsumeb. Though he played football in the popular unofficial street games back in his native Tsumeb – it was only after he moved southwards to further his studies at Augustineum High School that Bra Zacks started playing competitively.
After graduating as a trained tailor from Augustineum High School near the garden town, Okahandja, Bra Zacks ventured into his new trade and found employment with the reputable clothing manufacturing company Pfohls Men’s Outfitters.
He later jumped ship and join rival company Hans Brust Outfitters further downtown in the popular Kaiser Street, Windhoek’s main street, to be rechristened Independence Avenue after Namibia gained her democracy in 1990.
As the years went by, Bra Zacks developed itchy feet again and found himself back in familiar territory with his former bosses at Pfohls but soon called it quits to start his own tailoring business at his residence in the Donkerhoek section of Katutura north of Windhoek.
In the meantime, the tough-tackling defender joined Tigers FC in the old location and quickly established himself as a valuable member of the star-studded Tigers squad.
During his flourishing football career with the untouchable Ingweinyama, Bra Zacks played alongside legends such as the late dribbling wizard Times Mwetuyela, Honnie Ochurub, Philemon “Dakaloh” Haininga, Ferre “the Slippery Fox” Akwenye, Coloured Kakololo, Martin Veiko, Paul Hiskia, Tiwes Mbako, Amos Tjombe, Seth Urib, Nandos Mbako, Kapwii Angula, Puriki Vorster, Johnny Veiko and many other great athletes.
With father time calling, Bra Zacks packed his trusted Steve Kalamazoo designed togs and retired from competitive football in 1976. His departure with that of majority of his colleagues eventually paved the way for the new generation to flourish, taking Ingweinyama to greater heights.
The likes of Mentos Hipondoka, Kumi Umati, Silas-Wangaa Nuujoma, Shaka Mbako, Paulus “Scala” Shaanika, Abner Tobias, Rubby Khumalo, Sekulu Hipondoka, Kido Kambangula, Jason-Kayala Haufiku, General Hangala, Vincent “Botsotso’ Hermann, Tommy Schmidt (Ombuka Joutji) and other highly talented young footballers came on board to successfully carry the torch forward keeping the club’s legacy going.
Bra Zacks succumbed to a chronic diabetes ailment that saw one of his legs amputated before he finally bowed out on Tuesday at the Katutura hospital.
He leaves behind his window Drusilla and six children (three sons and three daughters).
Bra Zacks will be laid to rest in Windhoek next week Saturday, April 11. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Endapo nawa, Bra Zacks!