The late football crazy Justus Katume Handura was a formidable, tough-as-steak defensive midfielder who plied his trade with the now-defunct old location outfit Young Standard Football Club during the hotly contested knockout cup tournaments back in the day.
He was amongst some of his teammates and others who vigorously advocated for the merger of Young Standard, Juvenile and Wash-Away into one strong team that would represent the Ovaherero and Ovambanderu with a certain measure of ethnic pride.
The mooted amalgamation of the trio culminated in the inevitable birth of Katutura glamour football club African Stars in 1952.
Some of his celebrated teammates in the Reds armoury were Oscar Norich-Tjahuha, Katirori Katjiuongua, Judah Kazonganga, Cleophas Siseva ‘Danger’ Siririka, Mboroto Tjirare, Thomas Hindjou, Floyd Maharero, Muningandu Mbaukua, Tjeripo Ngaringombe, Festus Tjiuvae Muundjua, Klaas Kanetumbo Kandjii and a few other local footballers of remarkable pedigree.
In the meantime, the always immaculately dressed ‘Uncle J’, effortlessly juggled his precious time between football and cultural activities. The old Fox was the designated Sheriff of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority sacred Red Flag, shepherding the Women’s Troupe with distinction, much to the delight of his subjects.
Admittedly, his football genes trickled down to his offspring as equally talented sons and grandchildren followed in his footsteps to keep the family’s legacy intact. Elder son Zebedeus Merino Kandonga was a multiple league title and cup winner with African Stars’ golden generation.
Interestingly, all three blood brothers Merino, Zeb and Njangatare were in the starting lineup when Stars won the coveted Dave’s Furnishers Knockout Cup in 1974. The red-hot ‘Kaserandu’ saw off bitter rivals Black Africa 3-2 in a five-goal thriller at the packed-to-the-rafters Katutura stadium.
The always-cool-as-a-cucumber football-playing centre back Siegfried Thabo Tsamaseb played club football for Katutura giants Orlando Pirates and ranks amongst the finest young defenders of his generation. Overlapping fullback Joel Muserandu Tjiramba, a schoolteacher by profession, made his name as a no-nonsense tough-tackling defender with the Okakarara Senior Secondary School football team.
Attacking midfielder Justus Menongongo Tjazerua, famously known as ‘Mengo’ in football circles, set the football scene alight pulling the strings in the middle of the park for Nau-Aib youthful outfit Marroko City Stars to the extent that he was likened to African Stars blue-eyed boy Oscar Mengo.
Agile shot stopper Amos Kajau was an understudy to Namibia’s finest net guard, Asaria Ndjiva Kauami. However, despite limited game time, the bean pole goalie was equal to the challenge whenever he was called upon to step up to the plate.
Grandson Steven Tjenao was a versatile defender for the exciting Nomtsoub outfit Chief Santos, and also tasted the sweet waters of international football with Brave Warriors, having won multiple titles with Santos. Another gifted grandson, Erwin Handura, is without an iota of doubt the most recognisable face of Namibian hockey. Handura defied the odds stacked against him by penetrating previously uncharted territory when he became the first player of colour to coach the national hockey team on the global stage.
Granddaughter Mbenomeho Irene Handura excelled in the Hockey discipline, playing the game at the highest level. She represented her motherland internationally and was a valuable squad member of the National Senior Hockey team at the quadrennial All Africa Multi-Sport Games in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2003.
Eldest daughter Sukondiru Handura, Erwin and Irene’s old lady, was a mean basket rattler (netball) during her formative years whilst a pupil at the revered St. Barnabas School for native Bantus.
Additionally, she is a proud recipient of a bronze medal from the Junior Afcon Hockey Championship in Pretoria, South Africa, 2004. The cat-footed young lass made her appearance felt in the prestigious Africa Olympics Qualifier in Nairobi, Kenya 2007. ‘Uncle J’ lived, ate and breathed football even way into his retirement from playing competitive football. The old Fox always made it his sole beat to follow his favourite ‘Starlile’ when time permitted.
‘Uncle J’ barely missed matches – be it at the compact Windhoek Showgrounds, Katutura Municipal Stadium or the famous Katutura Stadium (Okahozu/Ble #Ab).
He was the mega of domestic football back in the day until he blew his last ounce of breath in 1997. Sadly, three of his multiple football-playing sons Merino, Zeb and Njangata, have joined the old fox in heaven. May their combined souls continue to rest in eternal peace in one piece.