Swakopmund is set to be home to a brand-new 10 000-seat football stadium, thanks to the vision of footballer Deon Hotto and his newly-launched Deon Hotto Foundation.
This was revealed at the Windhoek Country Club and Casino on Thursday evening in an event that drew a crowd of government officials, former football stars and current players.
The foundation is set to construct a state-of-the-art football complex in Mondesa.
This ambitious project goes beyond just the stadium, also encompassing a netball court, a gym and even an Adidas store. Construction will commence this year, and is set for completion in 2026.
To kickstart the initiative, Hotto (33), who plies his trade for South African Premier League outfit Orlando Pirates as a midfielder, pledged a significant sum of N$2 million.
He is a regular feature in the national side, the Brave Warriors. In May 2015, he scored two goals in the Cosafa Cup final to help Namibia win their first international trophy.
Most recently, Hotto won the Nedbank Cup in South Africa with Orlando Pirates on 10 June, when they beat rivals Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1.
Speaking at the event, he explained his dual motivations for launching the foundation: to give back to the community that nurtured him, while also laying the groundwork for his post-playing career. The foundation’s core mission is to identify and cultivate Namibia’s future football stars.
“It’s something that is coming from me and my wife, including my whole family. It wasn’t easy to put in the N$2 million, but I realised that I had a vision when I started the foundation, and with God’s speed, I know it will materialise,” he said.
Collin Benjamin, Namibian national football team coach, also took the stage at the event, emphasising the crucial need for footballers to plan for life after their playing careers.
“There’s this unfortunate stereotype that footballers are uneducated and lack plans for the future, and that we often coast through life blindly. But Deon Hotto stands as a shining example, planning ahead and taking charge of his future, while also supporting the next generation,” he said.
Benjamin expressed his admiration for Hotto, saying: “I’ve been waiting for a player to take this initiative, and Deon has stepped up. When you retire, that’s when real life truly begins. You need to stay active and find your new path. The routine you had disappears, and that can be a difficult adjustment. So, I’m incredibly happy that Deon is championing the future generation and giving back to the community.”
Ricardo Mannetti, who also mentored Hotto at the national level, praised the former African Stars winger for the great initiative, saying it is a crucial step he made in life to look after himself and those who come after him.
“I am happy to be here today to witness this event. I know Hotto from the time I was the head coach of the Brave Warriors. Me and him started at the same time; we made our debuts almost the same time, and seeing him launch this big project that will nurture future talents is something to clap hands for. I will be here, and I will offer my knowledge to this exciting project, and we hope and believe that it will materialise and reach its expected heights,” he added. Further projects under the DH Foundation include the construction of DH 5-a-side football and netball courts in Omaruru, scheduled to begin in 2026, and be completed in 2027. Similarly, Okahandja will see the development of 5-a-side courts for football and netball, with construction commencing in 2028 and finishing in 2029.
In April this year, the foundation donated football and netball kits, stationery supplies and a laptop all worth N$30 000 to the Paheye Primary School in Omaruru in efforts to fight inequality and support underprivileged
pupils. The foundation also revealed it will host its annual Deon Hotto Charity tournament in Omaruru from 28 to 30 June.
-mkambukwe@nepc.com.na