Namibian Paralympic gold medalist honored with house

WINDHOEK, Aug. 14 — After winning three medals in the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Namibian Ananias Shikongo will have a tangible asset to show for his exploits, after being handed over a 500,000 Namibian dollars (34,842 U.S. dollars) two-bedroomed house in Windhoek on Monday.
Construction on the two-bedroom house – which will cater to Shikongo’s disability – began with a groundbreaking on Feb. 17, 2018, and approximately six months later, the Paralympian will finally move into his house.

The house was constructed through help of Standard Bank Namibia in partnership with the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) and as a reward to the athlete.

During the 2016 Paralympics, Shikongo won a gold medal in the 200m race, and two bronze medals in the T11 100 metres and 400m races respectively.

In September 2012, another Namibian Paralympian Johanna Benson won gold in the T37 200 metre race and upon her arrival back in Namibia, then President Hifikepunye Pohamba rewarded Benson with a diplomatic passport, a house worth 1.5 million Namibian dollars (104,526 dollars) and a 170,000 Namibian dollars (11,846 dollars) grant.
In addition, the mayor of Walvis Bay, Benson’s hometown, announced he would name a street after her. – XINHUA