Villagers welcome Shikongo home

Villagers welcome Shikongo homeParents must stop hiding their kids - Mathews More than N$8 000 was donated to Ananias Shikongo when he presented his medals to community members at his home village. Paralympic gold medallist Ananias Shikongo and his guide, Even Tjuviju, received a warm welcome at Shikongo''s home village on Saturday.

The event was attended by people from all walks of life from Oshikoto Region and other northern regions.

In a telephonic interview with Namibian Sun Shikongo''s father Jason could not hide his joy.

He mentioned that he for some reason knew that his son was going to come back home with something, when they spoke before jetting off to Brazil.

“I was firstly excited to just hear that my son has won a medal, in a country far from home, and I could not even wait to see him,” he said.

He added that what his son has done should serve as a motivation to other people with disabilities to engage in the sport they like to do.

“I have two others with disabilities at home but because of the means we are unable to send them to school and it pains me because I want them to excel like Ananias,” he said.

Shikongo''s mother, Aili Mathews, was heard ululating as she celebrated her son''s achievement.

“I am very excited about what Ananias has done but I also want him to continue and do even better than what he did this year,” she said.

She indicated that what Shikongo has achieved will be a motivation to a lot of people with disabilities and called on parents who have children with disabilities to give them the necessary support and not hide them at home.

Shikongo was overjoyed by the attendance of people who followed them from Onathinge where they started with the road show to Oonyulaye at the Okankolo constituency offices.

“I am really happy that this event was a success, and happy that so many people from all walks of life and different age groups came to meet us,” he said.

Shikongo said an amount of N$8 340 was pledged, with the highest pledge made by Swapo Party''s Helmut Angula.

He was accompanied by the Paralympic team, and started with a road show at Onathinge, proceeded to Onayena and stopped at Okankolo village before proceeding to the constituency offices at Onyuulaye where the event took place.

The event was attended by the constituency councillor, Hans Nambondi, the Oshikoto governor, Henock Kankoshi, and other invited guests.

KAINO NGHITONGO