Zebaldt Ngaruka
The founding president of Black Africa (BA) Sports Club, Josef Mihe Goagoseb, was buried at the Old Location cemetery in Windhoek on Saturday.
He died on 15 January 2025 at the age of 88.
Various speakers described the late Goagoseb as a true leader, a man of principles who always wanted things to be done in an orderly manner.
Club chairperson Tomi Adams, who is outside the country, shared with New Era Sport that the founding president was a very soft-spoken person, very respectful and contributed immensely to BA. “I haven’t seen him in a long time, and I am sure he was not happy about the unfortunate situation the club found itself in,” he said.
He added that he listened to video clips of a particular speaker at the funeral on Saturday, who was leaning towards unity talks.
“We all need each other, but are still harbouring grudges. Let bygones be bygones,” noted Adams.
On his part, Kandas Paulino, the former club chairperson, said he will remember late Goagoseb as a visionary, passionate and a reliable leader.
“Uncle Mihe was one of the giants on whose shoulders all those leaders who came after him stood,” said Paulino.
Furthermore, he said supporters should take solace in the fact that late ‘Mihe’ and fellow founders created an institution for future generations they are all proud of.
“Despite the current unfortunate situation the club finds itself, the BA sun will rise again,” he said.
Shaun Asprilla Gariseb, who spoke on behalf of supporters, said the vision of the founding fathers was to have a multi-ethnic and multi-racial sport club, where everyone will feel welcome. “That is why BA is one of the very few clubs in Namibia which is not linked to a single ethnic group. As much as BA has a national footprint and appeal, it is a Katutura-based club, the pride of Katutura and the country’s football,” said Gariseb.
Amongst others, he highlighted that the late Goagoseb was tasked to build relationships with the schools to recruit players, and build the supporters’ base. “That strategy continued by the succeeding leaders when Mihe stepped down as chairperson, and that contributed to the success of the team,” he said. Gariseb added that it was a pity not to honour the forebears while they were still alive.
“Their life spoke volumes. Through their deeds, men like the late Goagoseb showed us the right way. We won’t be able to say enough, but we are thankful for the inspiration. The institution these men formed and shaped has been synonymous with success for the greater part of six decades,” he said.
Despite the late Goagoseb, other founding members were Josef Gonteb, Johannes Swartz, Simon Mogane, Adam Lamperth, Willibart Tlhabanello and Black Kangootui.
Mogane and Swartz are the only surviving founders of the once-formidable football club in Namibia. – zngaruka@yahoo.com