Hilma Nalupe
When the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games lit up Windhoek and Swakopmund last month, one figure stood out beyond the athletes, medals and results.
It was Rhino, the beloved mascot, who brought immense joy and energy to every sport venue he visited.
Behind the Rhino suit was 22-year-old Tjazupo Jeomba Narib, a student from Otjiwarongo.
He turned the role into something unforgettable.
He hyped the crowds with his dance moves and made athletes from ten different countries feel at home.
“I wanted to be part of something big, to feel important, and to contribute to an event that unites young athletes from across the region,” he said.
When auditions for the mascot role required a dance performance, he gave it his all.
That is how he became the Region 5 mascot.
From the opening ceremony to the torch tour, Rhino was at the centre of the games.
For Narib, the highlight was meeting the President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, as well as travelling to towns he had never visited before, such as Rundu and Keetmanshoop.
What he misses most is being escorted by the police wherever he went.
Being Rhino was no easy task, as the suit was heavy, demanding both physical and mental preparation.
Narib trained, ate healthily and stayed hydrated to endure the long days.
The medical team monitored him closely, but it was the cheers of the crowd that gave him the energy to keep going.
Beyond entertainment, this opportunity had a real impact on Narib’s life.
He used part of his earnings to help his grandparents in Kalkfeld with medical needs and to buy clothes for his teaching practice.
As he currently pursues his Honours degree in Education, majoring in mathematics and agriculture, Narib hopes to become the most fun teacher in the school while continuing to inspire the next generation.
His message to the youth mirrors the spirit of the games. “Dream big and keep pushing forward. Do it with passion, hard work and discipline. Own the moment, as I owned the moment,” he remarked.