AS minister of sport, Agnes Tjongarero prepares to step down in March 2025, she has taken the time to reflect on her tenure, highlighting both the achievements and the serious challenges that have persisted in Namibian sports under her leadership. 

In an exclusive interview with New Era, Tjongarero was a deputy minister of sport from 2015 to 2020 and then minister from 2020 to date, provided a candid assessment of her time in office, outlining successes in the country’s sporting achievements, while also acknowledging the many issues that remain unresolved. 

Mixed bag of successes 

Tjongarero tenure has seen a range of sports accomplishments, which she proudly reflects on as major milestones. “Wherever there’s a win, that’s our achievement in sport,” she said. The minister emphasises that Namibia’s sporting success is not only about medals, but also about the recognition of different codes that have thrived under her watch. Notably, the country’s performance at the Paralympic Games, where Namibia bagged a historic gold medal, stands as one of the highest achievements. «There’s nothing higher than the Paralympics and Olympics,” she beamed. 

The minister also points to the successes of cricket, hockey, swimming, and netball, all of which have made strides in recent years. Most recently, Namibia hosted the Netball Africa Cup in Swakopmund and saw impressive performances at the swimming championship in Windhoek. “The swimmers outclassed themselves,” she said, expressing her excitement at the progress in these areas. However, she adds that rugby remains a challenge for Namibia, and football’s near success in international competitions is marred by unfortunate setbacks. Tjongarero highlights the growth of cycling with emphasis on the Nedbank Desert Dash as another positive development and stresses that support needs to continue pouring in for this code. However, she points out the urgent need for better infrastructure and the establishment of community sport programmes, lamenting that many people across the country are not engaged in sports simply because there is no avenue for them to do so. 

While Namibia has seen some sporting achievements, Tjongarero candidly discussed the significant challenges the ministry has faced, stating that there have been more challenges than positives, particularly with infrastructure and the implementation of policies. One of her primary frustrations has been the slow progress in revamping the Independence Stadium to international standards. 

However, she acknowledges that the Independence Stadium is just one part of a much larger issue. Across Namibia, the lack of proper sports infrastructure means that athletes, especially those from rural areas, are often unable to access the facilities they need to excel. 

Tjongarero reveals that there have been efforts to address these issues, with progress being made in areas such as Usakos, Otjiwarongo, Nkurenkuru, Opuwo and Eenhana, where new sports facilities are being developed, even if they don’t meet international standards. However, challenges remain in places like Katima Mulilo, where progress has been slower. 

The minister also highlights the struggles with the professionalisation of sports in Namibia. “Despite progress in cricket, other sports are still far from achieving professional status. We also do not have qualified coaches in many regions, especially in athletics,” she explained. The shortage of qualified coaches in the regions and sports psychologists, she admitted, has held back the growth of Namibia’s sporting sector. “In that area, we have failed,” she said. She further laments the lack of policies supporting retired athletes, many of whom are left to struggle without recognition or support. 

The missing link 

One of the most pressing issues Tjongarero identifies is the absence of a robust community sports system in Namibia. “In Namibia, we don’t have community sport. If we had community sport, we could have done more,” she said. Without the infrastructure or support to engage local communities in a wide range of sports, many potential athletes are overlooked. She believes that with more grassroots engagement, the country could uncover untapped talent across various sporting disciplines. 

On the other side, Tjongarero expresses frustration at the failure to fully leverage bilateral agreements and partnerships with international partners such as Japan and China. While agreements were signed, particularly in relation to infrastructure projects like outdoor gyms, there has been little follow-through. 

“I am the one who signed the Japan agreement. We engaged towns such as Walvis Bay and Windhoek and used the likes of South Africa and Botswana as benchmarks on what to do, but we failed. I cannot implement, I only offer guidance. The implementors are failing us,” she said. 

She further acknowledges that while entities like MTC and Debmarine have been supportive, federations must be more proactive in engaging corporate sponsors to drive the growth of sports. “You must have a product and then show potential sponsors the product,” she advised. 

Para-athletes and lack of support 

Tjongarero is particularly concerned about the neglect of para-athletes, who she believes are the unsung heroes of Namibian sports. “These people are neglected, and they are the ones bringing the medals,” she said, referring to Namibia’s para-athletes who have brought home numerous accolades despite the lack of support. 

She acknowledges that there are no specific policies in place to address the needs of retired athletes or para-athletes, highlighting the disparity in support between different types of athletes. 

The minister also notes that para-athletes often face significant barriers ahead of international competition, with many struggling to secure the necessary resources and preparation. “We are not even going out to get more and more disabled athletes,” the minister said. This lack of outreach and support for disabled athletes is another gap in the ministry’s efforts to foster inclusive sport in the country. 

Call for change and action 

Tjongarero’s reflections are tempered with a sense of resignation about the culture of slow progress within the ministry. “Maybe it’s a culture. Change is not a very easy thing,” she admitted. Despite these challenges, she remains hopeful for the future and urges whoever takes over her position to prioritise the implementation of the Sports Act and the development of community sports programmes. 

“I hope whoever takes over really implements the sports act and gets community sports going,” said the minister, stressing that the future of Namibian sport lies in collaboration and collective effort. However, she acknowledges that without the commitment of all stakeholders – from government officials to local federations – many of the issues she faced during her tenure will persis 

t.-lmupetami@nepc.com.na