By Kudumo Bernhold
Nkurenkuru, Aug. 24 – Legend has it that when one Ruston Mogane was coach of the Namibia national soccer team, he would at times pile jerseys in the dressing room, and invite the players to self-censure team selection process before the game began says Skonokeni Mpasi.
He said coach Mogane as he was fondly known, would say:
“OK guys, how many goalkeepers do we have in camp? Whoever among you feels is the best goalkeeper should step forward and pick up the goalkeeper’s jersey.”
All the players knew among themselves who was deserving to step forward to pick up a jersey for each position.
And as soon as one great Razundara Tjikuzu, then playing for Werder Bremen ll in Bremen, Germany, or one great Eliphas Shivute, then playing for Motherwell FC in Scotland, would arrive in Namibia after some flight connection delays in Europe, the other players who had picked up Tjikuzu or Shivute’s jersey would on their own volition step forward and say to the coach:
“Coach, I am less worthy. The man who should be playing in this position is here.”
There was self-censure. On your own, you would just do some introspection before stepping forward to claim a jersey because you knew there was someone better than you.
Mpasi further said at some point, during the days of the late Richard Bablo Vendura, who is another soccer icon in Namibia, some guy, mastered the courage to pick up the No. 10 jersey customarily worn by the Bablo. And Bablo was seated quietly in the far corner of the room, busy polishing his soccer boots and not paying much attention when all the other soccer players burst out laughing at the pretentious player who thought he could pick Bablo’s jersey and play in his position.
All the players exclaimed in unison:
“Kamarada, wayigazara Oyo, Tura Sikoverero saBablo Ozo number Yige Aziruganesa, Kapi Tovhuru position Zendi.”… (“Comrade, don’t even think about it. Put back that jersey. It belongs to the Great Bablo seated there. You are too small to fit in his shoes.”)
Now, if only our people could understand and learn from this process of self-censure then we would have a better and revolutionized country says Miami. He concluded that we all need to examine ourselves thoughtfully before we begin to entertain fanciful ideas of political ambition.
It is evident today that some politicians are going nowhere with their presidential ambitions, yet they are busy raising small storms in a teacup. But for what? That question is what they need to answer before making decisions that do not contribute to the development of this country.
