Cometh the hour, cometh the man, the Southern part of Namibia is synonymous with the knack of unearthing a significant number of brave men with remarkable pedigree, ranging from great thinkers, academics, artistes, and above all, highly gifted footballers.

A fearless politician, unwavering community activist, and God-fearing man of substance Jonathan Ti-heb Goliath was not only a salted liberation icon, but ‘Uncle T’ was a highly gifted baller who plied his trade with leading Tseiblaagte side, Blues Football Club. 

Despite his relative tiny frame, Uncle Ti-heb was a very competitive midfielder, brilliant ball carrier and decent dribbler. He captained the Blues to unprecedented success. 

Well, it came as no surprise when he was the only player from the South selected to represent his motherland with the star studded South West Africa (SWA) Provincial none- European Invitational Eleven. 

The combined team was made up of a mixture of Bantus (blacks), and Coloureds/Basters players. The strong team undertook an energy sapping rail tour to South Africa in 1966, playing against local teams in well attended exhibition matches. 

At the time of his departure, Uncle Ti-heb, was one of only four surviving members from that historic touring entourage alongside Thomas ‘Tommy’ Uushona, Frederick Namab Gaoseb, and Linus ‘Bossie’ Samaria. 

At club level, Uncle Ti-heb proudly shepherded the amazing Blues to numerous triumphs in the popular knockout cup competitions across the length and breadth of his beloved motherland. His unmatched football virtuosity subsequently laid the foundation for many generations that followed in his footsteps, aiming to emulate his feat. 

The likes of Steve Stephanus, Killer Kamberipa, Mary Gariseb, Victor Nakambonde, Johnny de Klerk, Ambrossius Vyff, Dokes Hange, Lucky Boostander, Barry Stephanus, Gabriel Freyer, Norries Goraseb, Barnes Jansen, Willy Swartbooi, Klaas Blom, Bigman Schultz, and Doc Jossob, all benefited immensely from his magnetic influence.

A brilliant ball distributor with a phenomenal first touch complemented by dribbling skills second to none, ‘Uncle T’ always led by example. 

Truth be told, the energetic, tireless attacker was the heartbeat of the Blues’ well-oiled train, often weighing in with vital match winning goals whenever the need arose.  

A truly born entertainer, the pocket size midfield genius possessed all the required ingredients of a complete athlete. He played football the way the game should be played with a slight measure of ‘sheer arrogance’, football wise. 

Without a shadow of doubt, Uncle Ti-heb will go down in history as one of the most loved and admired ‘footies’ to have ever emerged from the Southern part of the Land of the Brave. 

A truly born leader kindhearted humble human being of decent upbringing and respect towards fellow citizens, the uncompromising political icon cum highly gifted footballer was indeed a cut above his peers        

Off the playing field, ‘Uncle T’, had his fair share of nasty encounters with the cops. 

Local authorities were not exactly comfortable with his advocacy for the immediate abolishment of racial segregation including the removal of the much despised inferior Bantu education system from the School curriculum. 

An uncompromising freedom fighter who strongly believed in equal rights for all citizens, Uncle Ti-heb once ‘bliksemed’ the lights out of his apparently ‘too bossy’ white supervisor, a stubborn Railway Police Officer, with a well-executed right hook that would have done the great Harry Simon Senior justice. 

His political ideologies and persistent advocacy for restorative justice landed him in hot water with law enforcement on countless occasions. This led to his unlawful detention. Uncle Ti-heb was charged under the so-called Terrorist act in 1973, and spent six months in prison before being released and placed under house arrest. 

Nevertheless, Uncle T never wavered, the brother unapologetically continued to carry on the fight against the illegal occupation of his motherland until the unavoidable abolishment of apartheid in 1990. Certainly a long and winding journey well-travelled. Mission accomplished, a true son of the soil has finally gone home to be reunited with his ancestors. Instead of mourning and shedding long tears of agony, let us rather celebrate the life and times of this great man of substance, allowing tears of love and ecstasy to flow freely down our cheeks for the unforgettable moments we shared with him. 

Adios ‘Uncle T’.