Shikongo's dream home 'halfway'

Paralympic T11 200m sprinter Ananias Shikongo's dream of having a place to call home will soon come true, with contractors having now reached the halfway stage, as they work towards finalising his house. Standard Bank, in partnership with the National Housing Enterprise (NHE), donated a house to the value of N$500 000 to the Paralympic athlete, after he won three medals at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. The bank collaborated with NHE to secure a plot and construct the home for the athlete, which is situated behind Eveline Street in Katutura. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in February this year. “We donated the house to Ananias because we believe that it is imperative to give recognition to sport as an enabling contributor that fosters unity, national reconciliation and regional and international cooperation. “It is also important to celebrate achievements, because it not only motivates you to continue on the path of success, but it also positions you as a winner and attracts more success,” Standard Bank communication's manager Surihe Gaomas-Guchu said this week. Although it has been a long journey to this point, she said she was elated because they were almost at the finish line and the Paralympic athlete would soon have a decent place to call home. “Shikongo proved to the entire nation that disability is not inability and has emerged victorious against all odds. It was only fitting that we reward him in an equally fitting manner,” she explained. Shikongo has also been a key figure, raising awareness for the bank's flagship Buy-a-Brick initiative over the past few years. He signed an agreement to that effect with the bank in early 2017. “The Paralympian's story is demonstrative of the significant importance of choice and the unlimited opportunities it opens up for people, when they just stop focusing on the obstacles they face. In a few short months all his hard work will pay off when he moves into his brand new house and we would like to urge all youth to follow in his footsteps,” Gaomas-Guchu added. Shikongo said he visited the house a few days ago and was happy with the positive results. “It's nearly done. I waited for a long time, but I'm so happy because by August I will be sleeping in my own house,” he said. Shikongo said he will not be living in his house alone, as he will be sharing it with some of his friends, who are also disabled athletes. LIMBA MUPETAMI

Shikongo's dream home 'halfway'

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-07

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Shikongo's dream home 'halfway'

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-07

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