The death of much-travelled defensive midfielder Steve Kanene Korupanda, famously known as ‘Groote’, has sent shockwaves through the community and the entire football fraternity.
A love triangle gone awry
‘Groote’ took his own life via the deadly rope at his rented residence in Rotterham, a market town holed up in South Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom. The brother was the biological son of former Hungry Lions FC bulky forward-cum-goalie Abia Uaire ‘Moloi’ Korupanda.
As fate would dictate, the left-footed dribbling wizard sadly transitioned to eternity last year after losing a marathon battle against the deadly ailment, diabetes. And just as the close-knit family of the ‘Brave Lions of Judah’ was coming to terms with the devastating death of grandson ‘Groote’, another blow struck like a thunderbolt.
The untimely death of club founder Chief Turi Murise has left his former teammates, as well as the green side of the nation in utter shock. May their combined soul rest in ancestral power.
Born in Namibia’s commercial hub, Windhoek, on 5 May 1994, ‘Groote’ started his elementary education at the Berg Aukas Primary School.
He completed his studies at the Namibia Veterinary College of Agriculture. Hailing from the stable of a football crazy family, ‘Groote’ was hooked to the game, developing an early interest in chasing the inflated pigskin at the slightest provocation.
His genes dictated he would be a footballer of note, after all, apart from his old man Moloi, Uncles Uaetongue, in addition to Five Korupanda, were great footballers in their own right. The pair plied their trade with the Brave Lions of Judah at different intervals.
Maternal uncles Smody and younger brother Urbanus Kamaheke made their mark on the football field with Katutura glamour football club African Stars. ‘Groote’ started playing competitive football in the lower-tier league with Gobabis-based outfit Young African, playing a vital role in the team’s promotion to the elite league.
Whilst reading towards a Diploma in Agriculture, the tireless midfield general joined the combined universities team, Unam, campaigning in the country’s top-flight league.
Like many other boys from his generation, ‘Groote’ frequented the unofficial knockout cup tourneys, featuring for his village team, Eiseb, on top of Otjiuamapeta, during the hotly contested ‘Bush Tournaments’.
His steady midfield play propelled Unam to the final of the lucrative NFA Cup in 20218, only to stumble against Katutura giants African Stars at the last hurdle.
A bird of passage, ‘Groote’ was on the move again.
He found shelter at fallen giants Black Africa but could unfortunately not save the old timers escape the dreaded relegation axe.
Admittedly, the prevailing reality of unemployment across the country whilst football has very little to offer in terms of monetary security, let alone stability, left the midfielder in a hopeless state of mind, punctuated by unending piled-up frustrations.
Subsequently, the fed-up young Fellah packed his bags and quietly slipped out of the warm boundaries of his beloved motherland.
‘Groote’ gathered enough courage, hit the navy skies across the Mediterranean Ocean, only to resurface in England, United Kingdom, in search of greener pastures.
RIP – Traditional Chief Turi Murise 1954-2025
‘Bro Tucks’, as the author would always call Turi during our formative years, frequenting the dangerous streets of Katutura location during the dark era of apartheid. Chief Turi Murise arrived in the city of bright lights (Windhoek) alongside fellow raw village boys from the Epukiro Reservat.
Back in the day, villagers were not easily welcomed into the local community, as they were brutally subjected to all sorts of derogatory slurs.
Truth be told, if you have not at some stage lived in the old location, you were unlikely to escape having your name scripted in the category of ‘moegoes’ in dire need of refinement to tie in with the city lifestyle.
The rookies were obligated to adapt and significantly upgrade from their old-fashioned mentality, wear bell-buttons purchased from Manjana or Hello Boys outfitters, in addition to behaving like men of civilised standards.
As a result of the illegally enforced unofficial ‘requirements’, Bro ‘Tucks’, together with his village buddies, resolved to form a football team, christened Hungry Lions FC, to serve as a protective unit against bullying more importantly, a sense of belonging.
In an effort to keep up with their newly acquired city lifestyle, the village boys adopted the signature name ‘Ozombuka’ (Ants).
Many of the ‘wannabe city boys’ found shelter at elder statesman August Tjatindi, who happened to work at John Meinert Printers. The kind-hearted Uncle Aukuu took the raw village boys under his wing and sweet-talked his bosses to give the boys work at the press institution.
The unwavering village boys hit the ground running, mastering the art of bending and aligning newspapers, Algemeine Zeitung/Windhoek Advertiser, under the supervision of the ruthless old Fox Herrn Lakemeier ‘Bro Tucks’ was well respected, indeed a very popular figure amongst his teammates.
The likes of Zebaldt Uazenga, Kumbee Tjizera (d+), Jomo Tjiveta, DCK Kamatjipose (d), Kaveuka Marenga, Shadow Hangara, Shakes Kandenge (d+), John Kaahangoro, Koutumbo Karumendu, Moi Kahuure (d+), Rep Kanjaa-Mbapupua (d+), Tier Nganjone (d+), Fritz Ndjavera, Bomber Heuva (d+), Sigu Ngeendepi (d+) and Andrew Korupanda, Groovy Kaahangoro (d+) all shared the dressing room with ‘Bro Tucks’.
Though a significant chunk of the village boys were not exactly gifted athletes, the gutsy youngsters persevered, solicit the services of local talent to beef up the fragile playing personnel.
The new kid on the block grew in stature, aided by the arrival of few talented students from the Okakarara Secondary School, some of them born and bred products from the vastly populated Epukiro communal area (reservat).