From Shinyungwe to the world: The story of Christine Katiku Mboma
“I know my child will not forget where she comes from. She knows she has a responsibility to take care of her siblings,” Mboma’s grandfather said.
Kenya Kambowe
Shinyungwe
Abandoned by her father while she was still a baby and tragically losing her mother when she was just 13 – these are just two of challenges Christine Mboma, who is currently smashing athletic records locally and internationally, has had to endure.
Known by her middle name Katiku, meaning born at night, Mboma (18) is a force to reckon with and has become synonym with breaking athletic records, but few know the pain and suffering she has faced.
Namibian Sun took a trip to Shinyungwe village, some 130 kilometres east of Rundu, and discovered that Mboma had a painful past dominated by abject poverty before making a name for herself through athletics.
Narrating Mboma’s story was her grandfather, Tobias Kangumbe (81).
Mboma is the eldest of three daughters.
Her late mother, Patricia Shihako – who was born with a disability – died in 2016 while giving birth, and unfortunately, the baby died as well. Her sisters are named Nangura and Karungu.
They live in a traditional compound comprising of huts accommodating 45 family members, most of whom are children.
Despite the big group, poverty is their biggest challenge as none of the family members are employed, and they survive off the pension grants of the elderly and income some relatives earn from doing odd jobs in and around the community.
Upbringing
Kangumbe told Namibian Sun that Mboma grew up like any other child in the community, attending Shinyungwe Combined School, which is just 400 metres from their house.
In 2016 when her mother died, she had to take responsibility of her siblings.
Kangumbe said an uncle of Mboma tried to ensure that she gets educated and catered for her school needs.
In 2017 at the age of 14, Mboma started to take keen interest in athletics, which resulted to her competing in – and winning – regional competitions.
At the time, she was doing long-distance running, competing in the 800m and 1 500m races, where she always ended in first place.
She went on to win two gold medals at the 2019 Cossasa games that were held in Eswatini.
She was then – along with Beatrice Masilingi – offered a scholarship worth N$120 000 to attend the Grootfontein Agri College.
Humble home
While hers has quickly become a household name, reality kicks in for Mboma when she returns home, where she shares a room with her grandmother, Mukano Muyevu.
Made of wood and mud, the room is worn out, with one wall made of a makeshift covering.
“This is the room where Katiku sleeps when she comes home,” Kangumbe said as he pointed to the wooden bed with no mattress and clothes hanging from a thatched roof.
During the rainy season, the roof leaks and animals like snakes can enter from the sides easily.
Lack of communication
Kangumbe said the last time he saw Mboma was in February when she came home to mourn a relative who had died, and ever since, they only hear of her from people saying that she is doing well athletics wise.
Asked whether there is any communication between him and his granddaughter, Kangumbe said the last time they spoke was the day she left.
“There is no communication between us currently and I understand because she needs to be focused. I know my child will not forget where she comes from. She knows she has a responsibility to take care of her siblings, but in the future, I know she will communicate with us no matter where she finds herself,” he said.
Kangumbe said he wishes his granddaughter well at next month’s Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo and calls on the nation to support her.
Mixed reaction from community
Despite the community of Shinyungwe village being proud of their golden girl, they also expressed disappointment that the situation at Mboma’s home has not improved one bit.
“We are happy for her and she has all our support; however, we want the family and community to benefit from her success. I am sure you saw their house, they are in need and we hope she comes back and takes care of her family,” Augustinus Kamonga, a close family friend, said.
[email protected]
Shinyungwe
Abandoned by her father while she was still a baby and tragically losing her mother when she was just 13 – these are just two of challenges Christine Mboma, who is currently smashing athletic records locally and internationally, has had to endure.
Known by her middle name Katiku, meaning born at night, Mboma (18) is a force to reckon with and has become synonym with breaking athletic records, but few know the pain and suffering she has faced.
Namibian Sun took a trip to Shinyungwe village, some 130 kilometres east of Rundu, and discovered that Mboma had a painful past dominated by abject poverty before making a name for herself through athletics.
Narrating Mboma’s story was her grandfather, Tobias Kangumbe (81).
Mboma is the eldest of three daughters.
Her late mother, Patricia Shihako – who was born with a disability – died in 2016 while giving birth, and unfortunately, the baby died as well. Her sisters are named Nangura and Karungu.
They live in a traditional compound comprising of huts accommodating 45 family members, most of whom are children.
Despite the big group, poverty is their biggest challenge as none of the family members are employed, and they survive off the pension grants of the elderly and income some relatives earn from doing odd jobs in and around the community.
Upbringing
Kangumbe told Namibian Sun that Mboma grew up like any other child in the community, attending Shinyungwe Combined School, which is just 400 metres from their house.
In 2016 when her mother died, she had to take responsibility of her siblings.
Kangumbe said an uncle of Mboma tried to ensure that she gets educated and catered for her school needs.
In 2017 at the age of 14, Mboma started to take keen interest in athletics, which resulted to her competing in – and winning – regional competitions.
At the time, she was doing long-distance running, competing in the 800m and 1 500m races, where she always ended in first place.
She went on to win two gold medals at the 2019 Cossasa games that were held in Eswatini.
She was then – along with Beatrice Masilingi – offered a scholarship worth N$120 000 to attend the Grootfontein Agri College.
Humble home
While hers has quickly become a household name, reality kicks in for Mboma when she returns home, where she shares a room with her grandmother, Mukano Muyevu.
Made of wood and mud, the room is worn out, with one wall made of a makeshift covering.
“This is the room where Katiku sleeps when she comes home,” Kangumbe said as he pointed to the wooden bed with no mattress and clothes hanging from a thatched roof.
During the rainy season, the roof leaks and animals like snakes can enter from the sides easily.
Lack of communication
Kangumbe said the last time he saw Mboma was in February when she came home to mourn a relative who had died, and ever since, they only hear of her from people saying that she is doing well athletics wise.
Asked whether there is any communication between him and his granddaughter, Kangumbe said the last time they spoke was the day she left.
“There is no communication between us currently and I understand because she needs to be focused. I know my child will not forget where she comes from. She knows she has a responsibility to take care of her siblings, but in the future, I know she will communicate with us no matter where she finds herself,” he said.
Kangumbe said he wishes his granddaughter well at next month’s Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo and calls on the nation to support her.
Mixed reaction from community
Despite the community of Shinyungwe village being proud of their golden girl, they also expressed disappointment that the situation at Mboma’s home has not improved one bit.
“We are happy for her and she has all our support; however, we want the family and community to benefit from her success. I am sure you saw their house, they are in need and we hope she comes back and takes care of her family,” Augustinus Kamonga, a close family friend, said.
[email protected]
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