When you walk into Namibian T11 100-metre (m) and 400m para-athlete Chris Kinda’s modest shack in Mondesa, Swakopmund, you will notice something missing.
There are no signs of his gold medal or any other medals.
Kinda said all his medals are safely kept at the MTC Dome because his shack, like much of the community he lives in, is unsafe due to rampant theft. Born visually impaired, Kinda attended the School for the Visually Impaired in Windhoek.
His mother passed away when he was about seven years old.
He never met his father, and was subsequently raised by his aunt.
These early hardships never deterred him. Now 26 years old, Kinda is a national treasure.
In 2024, he captured a gold medal in the 400 metres (m) at the World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan.
He clocked a remarkable time of 52.35 seconds, guided by his running partner, Riwaldo Goagoseb.
Despite his international success, Kinda returned from Japan to the same one-room shack he shares with his maternal cousin, Cheroline Kinda. The structure is far from ideal, especially during the biting cold Swakopmund nights.
However, he has adapted, learning to navigate the space and take care of himself. Cheroline, who is employed at a restaurant in the coastal town, said she often worries about leaving him alone, citing the danger posed by “problematic boys” in their street.
She describes Kinda as the chef of their home, lovingly preparing meals for the two of them.
Kinda dreams of a better living environment.
He was granted a piece of land by the Swakopmund Municipality, but he needs about N$55 000 to process ownership and begin building a proper home. “I am urging for help,” he said earnestly. His athletic journey began in 2017. By 2019, he had turned professional.
By 2022, he was making his mark on the international circuit.
That same year, he qualified for the Commonwealth Games but could not compete due to classification issues. He also reached the semi-finals of the Paralympic Games in 2022. In a triumphant comeback, he won gold in Kobe in 2024.
Kinda was recently nominated for the Sportsman of the Year with Disability at the Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA) in Zimbabwe.
Although he did not win, he said the nomination alone affirms that he still has more to offer in sport.
However, he expressed disappointment over the financial support he received from the Namibian government – only about N$3 000 to prepare for travel.
“I had to travel from Swakopmund to Windhoek just to get to Zimbabwe,” Kinda shared.
“What I earn from sport, I support myself and my cousin. But most of the money goes into supplements, which cost around N$1 500 to N$2 500, depending on what I need. I often have to choose between buying supplements, groceries or toiletries and I am left, with nothing to save for my future.
Kinda does not have a coach, but he is hopeful about joining Letu Hamhola’s training group.
“The problem with us paraathletes is that we’re not marketed well. Some coaches, like Hamhola, promote their athletes. I want to be part of that,” he said. His guide runner, Kevin Goagoseb, describes Kinda as a “cool cat” with an unmatched work ethic. “We’re very close. He’s someone I can always joke and laugh with, but we also have serious talks about how to improve our running,” he said. He highlighted the financial struggles they face.
“Making a living through track and field isn’t easy. Sometimes we don’t even have money for daily essentials. It’s embarrassing to travel for competitions and not even have something to bring back home for your family,” Bradley added.
-lmupetami@nepc.com.na