Congo climbs political ladder

Retired Brave Warriors footballer Johannes ‘Congo’ Hindjou has his sights firmly set on a career in politics and is sitting pretty, second on the Swapo list for the Okahandja local authority elections that take place tomorrow. Hindjou, who was capped numerous times for the national team, says his love for politics started while he was a professional footballer. He now aims to go from wearing the number 15 jersey for his country, to making a difference in his community. And he has a history of winning. He played for Liverpool Okahandja and Civics FC - winning the Namibia Premier League (NPL) with both clubs - before retiring in 2007 after a spell with African Stars. Helater coached Okahandja’s Spoilers and Walvis Bay’s Eleven Arrows whom he led to the 2010/11 Leo NFA Cup. In an interview with Namibian Sun, the confident and aspiring politician said the reason he is contesting tomorrow’s elections is simply because he is a people’s person and he knows the problems facing Okahandja. Hindjou said he became a Swapo card-carrying member in 2004, but was always interested in politics from a young age - attending Swapo rallies when he was just a boy. He said if it was not for Swapo, who liberated Namibia from its oppressors, his life would not have been the same, especially in terms of what he achieved - playing football alongside the greatest names on the African continent. “When I was a footballer, Swapo motivated me. If it was not for Swapo, I would not have gone onto the field and played for my country, if it was not independent,” Hindjou explained. He said he is confident that Swapo will win all seven seats in the Okahandja local authority elections tomorrow and stressed it will be tough going for opposition parties. He congratulated the outgoing councillors and said they had tried their best in terms of developing the town, but a five-year term may not have been enough for them to achieve all their targets. He emphasised that councillors cannot do much if the community does not play its part. Using a football analogy, Hindjou said more often than not, teamwork - instead of individualism - wins matches, and the same applies when it comes to developing a town where the municipality and the people have to work together. “We can only tackle the problems facing the community when we work as a team,” Hindjou said. Following his contribution to Namibian football and being seen as a role model, Hindjou said if financial resources allow, he will campaign for the upgrade of sport facilities in the town, in order to attract “all kinds of tournaments” and NPL matches. Okahandja has been prominently featured in the media over the years due to the lack of service delivery in the town. Ongoing challenges include dirt piling up the streets, people living on unserviced land, sewerage problems and water and electricity issues, as well as criminal activities. Hindjou agreed that the name Garden Town does not suit Okahandja currently, but if he is elected into power alongside the other six Swapo candidates, they aim to restore it to its former glory, with the help of central government, the community and council officials. He said in order to decrease the town’s unemployment rate; manufacturing companies must be attracted to Okahandja, which will further spark job creation and development. Hindjou denied using his fame to lure people to vote for him. He said he is from Okahandja and people know him. They also know he is capable of making a difference in their lives. “I am not using my fame. If you put football aside, I am a people’s person and I have respect for people,” he said. He said Swapo is a brand and people know what to expect when they vote for the ruling party. KENYA KAMBOWE