The name Siggi Frewer will long be spoken about in the corridors of Namibian football for generations to come. An upright bloke with mild manners, calculated, intelligent, caring, kindhearted and much adored, Siggi was amongst few academically equipped well-read ‘Jerries’, around town, so to speak.
Amongst his commendable deeds, one can reveal the positive impact he has made on his countrymen in addition to the fashion, Siggi always made those around him feel comfortable and valued. Birthed in Namibia’s commercial hub Windhoek in 1941, the boy with the Midas touch was schooled at the revered Deutsche Hohere Privat Schulle (DHPS). Upon completing his secondary education, Siggi was dispatched to Hermansburg, Kwazulu/Natal, across the Orange River to sharpen his academic aspirations. Upon completing college education, the calculated fellow found employment with local leading book distributors CNA in Walvis-Bay, occupying the plum portfolio of manager. It was indeed in the coastal harbor town where he bumped into the irresistible beautiful ‘English Rose’ Joyce Smith.
The super gorgeous fairly young lass arrived from Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. The pair fell in love, got hitched before tip-toeing to Windhoek where Siggi found a job with Barlow Motors as chief accountant. A bird of passage, Siggi developed itchy feet and resigned from his post to start his own business which led to the birth of the iconic Frewer’s Stationers in 1974. A genuinely none racist bloke of decent upbringing, Siggi played a significant role in the unavoidable transformation of domestic football.
Siggi was at the forefront vigorously advocating for the inevitable inclusion of athletes of color into the system at previously predominantly white Ramblers Sport Club. Siggi threw his body on the line when he teamed up with a few fellow visionary brave men to unlock the door allowing athletes of color access to enter through steel gate mounted at Tunschell Strasse.
However, it was not a smooth rubber foaming journey for the bold decision because the decision disturbed some of the club’s hardcore conservatives as they would have none of that. Regrettably, the club was obligated to part ways with some of its trusted members that were not ready to share dressing room facilities with non-whites during the height of apartheid in 1983. Supported by the resolute quintet of Manuel Coelho, Peter Snyman, Andy Alfheim, Bobby Craddock, and Ralf Berens, Siggi and his peers stood their ground welcoming athletes of color to their sacred stable with opened arms. Apart from being an extra ordinary fantastic administrator, the left footed attacker started playing competitive football for coastal giants Atlantis before relocating to the city of bright lights (Windhoek).
A keen social tennis player, his unquestionable unique sporting genes trickled down to his son Warren. The latter occupied the number one ranking in the country and was amongst very few racquet brutalizers to join the professional ranks before turning his hand to mentoring aspiring youngsters.
Siggi has served the beautiful game of football wholeheartedly with distinction. He occupied high profile portfolios in the top echelons of domestic football ranging from executive member of the country’s presiding football body South West Africa Football Association (SWAFA), Central Football Association (CFA), and the National Schools Sport Union (NSSU) at different intervals.
Truth be told, Siggi was the heartbeat of Ramblers’ unsurpassed success soon after Namibia attained her much-anticipated Independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990. During his tenure at the helm, Rammies clinched the national league title 1992, reached the final of the prestigious Metropolitan Life Cup in addition to winning the annual Stoesel and Horst Pitsch Pokals.
On the humanitarian side, the generous old Fox offered employment to a significant number of unemployed youngstersthatincluded football playing center back Tollie van Wyk, fast as lightning winger Nikita Hivei, midfield sensation Larney Madjiet, and other valuable squad members of remarkable pedigree.
A qualified accountant by profession, the old Fox was the proud owner of popular book distributors Frewer’s Stationers, holed up at Hepworths Arcade in the heart of the city of Windhoek, adjacent the popular eatery spot Café Schneider.
Upon retirement in 2020, the old Fox calmly retreated down sea level where he settled down in the internationally acclaimed holiday hub Swakopmund, under the care of his loving daughter Chantal, and husband Harald Bartsch. The likeable football administrator died peacefully at home in the wee hours of the morning on Tuesday, earlier this week. Siggi will be best remembered for his role in luring athletes of color to the Ramblers stable, turning the Tunschell Strasse outfit in to a lucrative destination for many athletes seeking refuge in properly organised structures. History reveals that Ramblers was the first sporting entity to unlock its steel gates for mixed race participation that saw a sizable number of gifted footies join ranks with the emerging Pionierspark.
Others found home with the blues other sporting disciplines namely; hockey, softball, archery, road running, cricket in addition to the successful Ramblers Youth Football Academy. A keen supporter of De Mannschaft, Siggi made it his sole beat to attend FIFA World Cup matches across the globe with his trusted buddy, the late Dieter ‘Steini’ Steinmetz. In the meantime, messages of touchy condolences are pouring in like thunderstorm with former teammates and those in the football space describing Siggi, a phenomenal human being, perfectly fitted with a golden heart.
Siggi’s untimely departure follows short on the heels of another Rammies blue eyed boy Jeff Luck. The two are now reunited in Heaven alongside former prominent Ramblers stalwarts who have all gone the way of all flesh in recent years in the following sequence: Ralf Berens, Carl-Heinz Steinfurth, Uwe Hoenck, Erich Muinjo, Bumpie Giersch, Peter Schwarzer, Hartmut Bayer, Mundu Camana, Steven Leicher, Ivan Wellington, Wayne Jones, Jose Carreira, Juku Tjazuko, Baka Adams, Luppo Hinterholzer, Niel du Plessis, Larney Majiedt, Dove Fransman. May their collective souls continue to rests in eternal peace.
RIP – Gerson Karimundu ‘Eilappa’ Tjitemisa 1949 – 2025
A dark cloud has befallen the close-knit family of Katutura glamour football club African Stars following the sudden death of club diehard Karimundu Tjitemisa, famously known as ‘Eilappa’. A product of Windhoek’s old location, the streetwise ‘Lappa’, was a real toughie in addition to being a cool ‘Wakey’ from the hood. He knew exactly how to wangle his way out of tight corners, the Reds staunch supporter barely missed matches where his beloved ‘Starlile’ played. Away from football pitches, the brother was a diehard Beatles and rock music fanatic, an uncompromising socialite who never missed high profile social gatherings, notably live music performances.
‘Lappa’ always frequented the Katutura Community Hall stylishly clad in his famous bell-button pair of trousers, complimented by his trademark shining pair of high heels ‘Ratoez’ (shoes), brushing the dance floor to the tune of some juicy golden oldies. A damn well-polished dancer, easygoing township self-styled Hippy, ‘Lappa’ was fond of the sweet sounds of live music.
The brother often operated as ‘Roadie’ for the now defunct Baronages pop/rock band.