From dust to goldOur sprint sensations Ananias Shikongo and Johannes Nambala have been leading humble lives in a shack for years, but their living conditions could soon change for the better following their Rio exploits. The incredible story of Namibia’s top paralympians The story of Ananias Shikongo will amaze you.Shikongo has become the toast of the nation after bagging three medals at the just-ended Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The gold, silver and bronze accolades mean that Shikongo was Namibia’s best athlete at the Rio Games.
His close friend Johannes Nambala also did the nation proud by winning two silver medals to ensure Namibia’s respectable finish at the global showpiece.
By winning five medals at the Paralympics, the two elite athletes have not only become instant national heroes, but their exploits also brought hope to the community of the Goreangab informal settlement in Windhoek, where Shikongo and Nambala share a shack.
With no electricity or running water at their home, the two athletes are accommodated by Shikongo’s brother Thomas Jason, who is saddened by the fact that he has not been able to follow the two athletes in Rio because he doesn’t own a television set.
“My heart is filled with so much joy to know that my sons are coming home, back to their shack with medals,” he said.
Golden dream
Jason, who runs a small shop selling fruit and fish, said he was over the moon to hear that Shikongo got a gold medal, which was his dream.
“I unfortunately did not have the chance to watch my sons run because we do not have television and you can’t go to people’s houses and demand that you want to watch athletics when they are watching football, for example, but I have been receiving updates from people on how the two are doing,” he said.
He said Shikongo had been talking about getting a medal and how ready he was for gold.
“He (Shikongo) told us to keep praying and be confident that he will bring a medal with and we have been doing so,” he added.
“I grew up in other people’s houses and have learned to share the love and the little that is there with everyone and when my sons are struggling with transport to make it for training I get money from my little shop or transport them myself with my car but it has broken down now,” he said, adding that the two athletes have been living together since 2003.
Jason, who is 43 years old, has performed the role of guardian for both Nambala and Shikongo.
A long battle
Originally from Okankolo in the Oshikoto Region, Shikongo lost his eyesight in one eye after he was shot with an arrow. That was followed by another tragedy when a donkey kicked him in the other eye, rendering him completely blind.
Nambala is partially sighted and can only see objects that are close to him.
Jason describes Shikongo as a kind and loving person and says the brotherly love between him and Nambala is always evident. Although Shikongo and Nambala’s room is not in the main shack, they use a candle for light like everyone else in the area. Jason said it is unfortunate and sad that when nature calls the two men have to walk to nearby houses to use the toilet.
“We only have the bathroom that everyone else here is using and when they need to use a toilet, we have to take them to other houses and ask them if he may use their toilet,” he said.
Even with the odds stacked against them, the two have gone to represent the country with pride and emulated the 2012 Paralympic success of Johanna Benson by winning medals for their country. Jason wants to see them rewarded for putting the country’s flag on the global map.
“They have done Namibia proud and therefore I want government to reward them for the job well done,” he said.
The Team Namibia athletes are scheduled to touch down at Hosea Kutako International Airport tonight at 21:30 and Jason can’t wait to see his “sons”.
“I want to see my sons arrive and I will make sure I am there. I will arrange with brothers who have cars if we can go or will see if I can get transport to go because a lot of people here also want to welcome them so even if we get a bus to take us there, we will be very grateful,” he said.
KAINO NGHITONGO