I DON’T know how many of you realize that we are holding one of the most prestigious sports events on the African continent this month – the Confederation of African Football Women’s Championship starting tomorrow. I know … I know, you don’t associate soccer with da ladies, but things have changed outjies and if you are still stuck in the last century where girls were only allowed to participate in sports like Netball and Amakhoes or play with their poppies and paint their nails red, then you must still think that our main street in Windhoek is Kaiser Street.
Let’s show some love for our beautiful country and fill the Sam Nujoma Stadium to the brim tomorrow wearing our national colours, but without the Holy Fire, please – Starlile fans, you are warned! We don’t want to scare our fellow Africans away, who might think we are into heavy juju. As a matter of fact, we promise to win fair and square because ama Gladiators will not only radiate like our precious klippies at Oranjemund, they will also fly our national flag like eagles. Sjoe, I am quite a patriot hey!
Some of you have raised your concerns about the Ebola virus, but the NFA has promised that every person that comes into our country will be screened properly. As a matter of fact, the visitors have apparently been quarantined for 21 days prior to their intended journey and were also tested in their countries and again at our airport for symptoms of the virus.
So, don’t feel nervous when you hear somebody coughing next to you and speaking in some foreign tongues and all you can hear is “balu-balu”. I know Namibians like to aangaan about things and news usually spreads like wildfire and before you know it, the original message has been lost and everybody is dodging out of the stadium like a hurricane wind is about to cause havoc there.
Some House Rules:
I know that China Town is nearby but don’t go to the stadium looking like the ‘Man on the Moon’, clad with lattice gloves to protect your hands and a mask on your head. When you greet the visitors, please be courteous and friendly – at least that’s what we are known for.
Please do wear your red tikkie-hakkies this time if you must. We gotta show outsiders that our mamachulas are some of the finest on the continent even though the event is clearly not a fashion show or cocktail dinner. I also understand that there will be heavy security and those notorious ncinas will not have a field day of grabbing bags, cellphones and chasing us with okapis, unless of course you are on foot and you still have to pass through some dark streets after the games.
Please control your 061’s intake. We don’t want the visitors to think we are walking umqomboti canteens. You know that some of you can’t control yourselves after looking deep in the bokkol, especially when the sun is scorching hot. We don’t want to be distracted from the game to watch you getting moered in some mini Mickey Mouse boxing show.
Some areas are no-go areas, especially the side where the VIPs will sit. That area has been camped off for FIFA, CAFO, NFA officials, the media and other important guests. No outere through the glass doors, please, and respect our security. I know times are hard, but toxoba.
With that said, let’s make our presence felt at both the Independence and Sam Nujoma stadiums. We are the Brave Gladiators!
Sorry Ngo!
mnunuhe@newera.com.na