From football to politics

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Kaurivi wants to be an example







WINDHOEK

Former African Stars and Black Africa central midfielder Rivandeka ‘Decky’ Kaurivi hopes to be an example to footballers after deciding to stand for this month’s regional and local authority elections.

Kaurivi, who is now a businessman, will stand as an independent candidate for the Katutura Central constituency.

His main aim, he said, is to change the lives of many hopeless people residing in Katutura and to show former and current footballers that there is life after football.

Bringing back the sporting spirit

“So many youths around the Katutura Central area are jobless without proper living conditions and left with no hope for the future.

“I decided to stand up and take this challenge, not only because of the unemployed youth, but also because so many elders in this area are finding the going tough because they have been neglected.

“As a former footballer, I want to bring back the sporting spirit in our area which has been long neglected by those who were in office,” he said.

No options, no hope

Kaurivi expressed his concerns that so many young people in the area have no access to education.

He said this leads many to choose a life of crime because those in power have not given them any options and hope to become better people.

“I also believe that there are so many former footballers who are doing nothing at the moment and I want to be an example that it is about time we stand up and do something for our communities.

“It is always heartbreaking to see your former teammates or even opponents roaming around the streets of Katutura with no hope,” he added.

Stiff competition

The former midfielder will compete against some popular names, which include former NBC Radio sport presenter Rodman Katjaimo of the Popular Democratic Movement, Swapo’s Michael Aihuki and Delphia Suxus of the Landless People's Movement.

The National Unity Democratic Organisation’s Israel Ngangane, Shepherd Muhaindjumba of the Rally for Democracy and Progress and Independent Patriots for Change candidate Martin Fillemon will also contest for the position alongside fellow independent candidates Yvonne Boois, Josephine Swartbooi and Edison Kaloko Uapingene.

They are gunning for a chair held by outgoing Katutura Central Constituency councillor Ambrosius Kandjii of Swapo.

Despite the stiff competition, Kaurivi, who has shied away from the limelight in recent years, said he confident he will emerge victorious.

Won’t hear him ‘making noise’

“Well, I have been campaigning strategically and that is why you will not hear me making noise and empty promises.

“I want to do this for the people and not for myself and that is why my immediate task has been investigating the needs of people in the Katutura Central area, rather than just making assumptions of what people may need.

“People need water and electricity at their homes and a better education,” he noted.

Big shoes to fill

Kaurivi is following in the footsteps of former footballers who eventually became councillors, mayors and even prominent politicians.

The likes of Knowledge Ipinge, who was elected as Walvis Bay constituency councillor in January’s by-election, include those he looks to for inspiration.

He also hopes to follow in the political footsteps of Brave Warriors midfielder Congo Hindjou, who later became the mayor of Okahandja.

A little further afield, former world player of the year George Weah became the president of Liberia.