“My life is now better, it has been very good since I met them”
|Information about the picture. Image: HWC/Zoe Hopkins
Meet Natangwe an inspiring 20-year-old footballer from Windhoek in Namibia.
Natangwe’s street soccer story began two years ago when he was scouted to join Second Chance Street Soccer by Coach Felix and Manager Bethuel who saw him playing football in their local area.
They encouraged him to get his life back on track after a period of living on the streets and addiction by providing him with a roof over his head, food, and clothing.
Natangwe became homeless after falling into bad drinking habits, after he started to disobey his parents, their relationship broke down. His parents couldn’t cope with his erratic behaviour and asked him to leave.
Despite this, the coaches managed to repair Natangwe’s relationship with his parents. They sat down together and showed them how much he has improved. Natangwe is now living with his family again.
Second Chance is a non-profit organisation that uses football as a tool to tackle poverty and homelessness in Namibia. It aims to reach vulnerable men and women who are susceptible to substance abuse and marginalisation by offering them a chance to improve their quality of life through sport.
“My life is now better, it has been very good since I met them,” said Natangwe.
They train every day in the lead up to tournaments and their next aim is to attend the Homeless World Cup in 2023. Natangwe’s personal goal is to help raise funds for better training facilities.
He’s now returned to education and is in his first year at the University of Namibia studying Criminal Justice. His motivation is to help break the cycle of crime “You need to motivate them, talk to them and tell them to do the right thing! Taking people to prison is not enough, it doesn’t change anything,” he explained.
If he had the chance to talk to the people who had a similar experience to him on the streets, he would encourage them to join Second Chance as it will allow them to “become better people than they already are.” It encouraged him to stop drinking, taking drugs and move back home.
Education isn’t his only goal, he is also looking forward to taking his football career further and playing overseas. He is also a member of the Namibia Swallows FC in the 2nd division which is 11-a-side team.
Natangwe is in regular contact with one person from a previous tournament and is looking forward to hearing about upcoming news about the next HWC!
Find out more about Second Chance and their work supporting players like Natangwe.
Words: Anna Craig
Images: Zoe Hopkins