Kavetja Ngaizuvare 

LEA Pumi Magano Nangombe is somewhere between saving lives and giving it her all in every volleyball match. 

Born in Oniipa, Oshikoto region, this 33-year old paramedic does not just clock into one of the most demanding jobs out there. 

She also shows up on the volleyball court, giving it everything she has. 

“I am always either on duty or training. I am dedicated and very hardworking. 

But I love it – saving lives at work, and then going to release all that pressure on the court balances me,” she stated. 

Nangombe’s volleyball journey did not start with dreams of championships. 

It started on a screen. 

“I would always watch volleyball clips. One day, I decided to try this out. I was always inspired. From there, it was game over. It became more than a hobby. It became part of me,” she said. 

Now, she is an attacker and libero for Afrocat Sports Club. 

She holds down two of the most intense positions on court. 

“Those positions keep me alert. I get to read the game, see everything coming, and it just clicks with how my brain works,” Nangombe stated. 

Training happens three times a week, when she is not saving someone’s life. 

“Some days, I just can’t make it, but I try to plan my life carefully – talk to my boss, shift things around and stay in touch with my coach – you make it work if you love it,” she said. 

Her biggest high so far was winning the Brimstone Queen and King Beach Volleyball Tournament in 2024. 

“That win was emotional – my family, friends and teammates were all there. It wasn’t just a trophy – it was a moment,” she added. 

She does not sugarcoat the struggles. 

“There are days I doubt myself. Sometimes, I am just exhausted. When you lose a match, miss training or get injured, your mind starts to wander. Am I good enough? Can I keep up? 

“I meditate before matches, and I tell myself to breathe. Even when my anxiety kicks in, I remind myself why I started,” Nangombe said. 

When she talks about her role model, she speaks of Melissa Vargas, a professional volleyball player originally from Cuba, now representing Turkey at the international level. 

She is known for her incredible power, athleticism and dominant attacking style, often playing as an opposite hitter. 

“That woman is a beast on court. Watching her play reminds me that if I stay focused, maybe one day I’ll meet her – maybe even play against her,” she noted. 

Her dreams do not stop at tournaments. 

“Take every opportunity that comes. I want to make it to the World Cup and play in the United States of America or Germany as far as I can go,” Nangombe said. 

She has learned how to manage it all – volleyball, work and life in general. 

“You need to set boundaries, plan your schedule, know when to say no, and communicate with your people. That’s how I keep it together,” she said. 

She lives by a quote that is clearly more than just words to her: ‘Success is not final, and failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts’. 

If there is one thing she will tell every young girl trying to find her way in sport or life is “Don’t give up. I know it gets hard, but if you stay positive and stay hungry, you will get where you want to be,” she said. 

-klngaizuvare@icloud.com