I was saddened to learn about the sudden death of a dear brother, father and hubby. My trusted buddy, Jose Coelho. To Manuel, Paolo, Tady Coelho and the entire Portuguese-speaking community residing in the Land of the Brave, our heartfelt condolences for the sad loss of a loved one.

I will never forget the day when you popped up unannounced at my residence in Khomasdal for a quick visit just to go through my variety of Long Plays (LPs), also known as vinyl record music collection, listening to some golden oldies, whilst discussing modalities and small details around the marketing aspect of my-soon-to-be released book, the Institutional Memory of Namibian Football. 

I can also never forget the subsequent breakfast meetings at our popular eatery spot in the modest Woermann Brock Café at Maerua Mall. Salute brotherman, go well.

Without a shadow of a doubt, you were a great, honest, kindhearted man of substance, who transformed the life of many people with your God-given humanity. Namibia has lost a giant of a man, who played his part in the transformation of mixed-race sport in apartheid South West Africa (SWA) back in the day.

The year 1975 will go down in history as the ultimate ‘game-changer’ of racial segregation in apartheid SWA (now Namibia). Local authorities under the stewardship of Advocate Louis Pienaar sanctioned a mixed-race exhibition football match, albeit reluctantly, between the All-Whites Invitational Eleven against their black counterparts.

The match, which was sold out, drew a record-breaking crowd of 6 000 spectators from all walks of life, who squeezed their bodies through the tightly-manned turnstiles at the compact old Suidwes Rugby Stadion (now known as Dr Hage Geingob Stadium), with the match ending in a controversial 3-all stalemate.

Nonetheless, the encounter somehow managed to convince both sets of players, officials and some hardcore conservatives that blacks and whites can live together in harmony. 

Soon afterwards, a significant chunk of apartheid laws were slightly relaxed, thus allowing blacks to share the same facilities and a few cunningly-selected low-key privileges with whites, notably in the upmarket City of Windhoek. 

However, it was not a bed of roses for the transformation process, as some uncompromising racist whites dug their heels in the sand, refusing point-blankly to extend the olive branch towards their gravely disfranchised countrymen.

Fast forward, the shameful shenanigans executed by the stubborn frame white Afrikaner, going by the name of Jan van der Berg, owner of Apollo Restaurant, situated at the tail-end of Tal Street in the Ausspannplatz Industrial Area, South of Windhoek. 

Van der Berg, ‘Oom Jan’, will have none of that, as he vigorously vowed to rather close his popular eatery spot than allow his sophisticated clientele to mingle and share the same ablution facilities – let alone watching his sacred utensils brush the gums of ‘unwanted’ guests from the impoverished townships.    

Admittedly, most courageous white footballers, backed by few visionary men of substance, applied pressure on authorities to abolish apartheid in sport. Just two years after the historic pair of football matches in 1975 and 1976, under pressure, authorities resolved to do away with segregation in all sports codes, leading to the unavoidable introduction of mixed-race football in apartheid SWA in 1977. 

Coelho played a significant part in the transformation process as a noted photographer and sports writer for the now-defunct English Windhoek Advertiser, covering all sports codes across the spectrum. 

A jack of all trades, Coelho often shifted behind the microphone, doing sports commentary in his native Portuguese vernacular for local Radio 99.   

The second-eldest son of Angolan mercenaries of Portuguese descent, he played club football for Windhoek-based outfit Cohen FC alongside elder brother Manuel. 

His old man, Pedro Coelho, was also very much involved in football, mentoring Nomtsoub-based Rangers Football Club as head coach in his adopted town, Tsumeb.

Coelho was a lethal right winger, who mesmerised defenders with amazing speed and great dribbling skills down the white chalk. 

A well-spoken, kindhearted bloke, he was a friend to many, and his departure sent shockwaves amongst those whom he rubbed shoulders with. May his gentle soul rest easy.   

Go well, Chief Petrus Ukongo 1952-2024               

Another sporting giant has exited the universe, as the football-mad community of the great semi-desert Kunene region mourns the death of staunch sport personality, uncle Petrus Ukongo, chief of the #Aodaman Traditional Authority, a sub-tribe of the #Nukhoen (Damara) clan. 

A great man of remarkable pedigree, a devoted Christian who has walked deep tracks in community projects and a well-respected community leader, political activist and steadfast sport enthusiast, chief Ukongo was founder member, composure and conductor of the famous Utani Choir of the Evangelic Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCRN), Khorixas branch. 

He also fronted the powerful brass band of the Uitani Congregation with great aplomb. A tireless cadre, who always placed the interest of his subjects on top of his list of priorities, he was at the centre of many successful community projects that included Ditsa I mu, an anti-stock theft unit to minimise stock theft in the southern part of the great Kunene region. 

He was a man of morals and principles, and never wavered when juicy carrots were dangled in his face to change political allegiance. 

He was subsequently denied recognition as the legitimate chief of the #Nukhoen tribe by authorities, despite his hard work, but nevertheless stood his ground.    

His immense contribution towards the overall development of football has left an enduring legacy in the entire Kunene region. 

His involvement in church activities and community development is understated. 

As a child, I vividly remember the pivotal role he played in the Khorixas Mass Choir of the Uitani Parish, the most successful and historical role-leading and effortlessly directing the Khorixas version of ‘Passion of Christ’ for many years. 

This play converted many to Christianity, and played a significant role in establishing value systems of our community in Khorixas. 

As a result of this initiative, we experienced peaceful Easter weekends in the town. 

Chief Ukongo played a significant role in taking young children through the ropes on how to master the art of playing brass instruments, which in turn attracted them to be involved in various church programmes. 

Prominent musicians who blossomed under his tutelage who spring to mind are Clarence and Trudy – to name a few. 

“He was fair, balanced and well-respected. His rise to chieftaincy was a birth trade, cemented during his formative years as community worker-cum-leader, who didn’t mind doing his work footing,” writes former chief regional officer of the Erongo region, Habate Doeses. 

May his soul rest in ancestral power.   

RIP – Sackey Komozonda Hengari 1953-2024

Recently-crowned Namibian champions African Stars mourn the death of staunch supporter Sackey Komozonda Hengari. 

The easy-going socialite was a dedicated fan of Katutura glamour football club,Okaserandu, and has served the club well in various unofficial portfolios.  

A former gangling left winger, with the youthful Old Location outfit Fire Star, Hengari was the self-proclaimed photographer of Stars. 

The brother was a regular figure at football matches whenever his beloved ‘Starlile’ played, using his transport to go watch the team in action outside town. 

He was the younger brother of former Bee Bob Brothers, Comets and Falcon Five multitalented bassist, keyboardist and pedal steel guitarist Eliphas ‘Flemmy’ Hengari, who predeceased him in 2018.