NAMIBIA’s sporting fraternity and family and friends of the late Costa Seibeb gathered at the Christuskirche in Windhoek on Thursday to pay tribute to the brilliant cyclist who died following a motorcar accident on 1 May.
At a heartfelt and emotional memorial service, tributes were made by the Minister of Sport, Jerry Ekandjo, the president of the Namibia Cycling Federation, Mannie Heymans, and the managing director of Nedbank Namibia, Lionel Matthews, amongst others.
Ekandjo paid tribute to Seibeb’s determination to rise above his humble beginnings, growing up in Katutura and raised by a single mother.
“It must have been one of the most difficult challenges to embark on a sport such as cycling that was unfamiliar to his home environment, while it was also not one of the cheapest sports to practise. But what marked Costa out was his achievements and the fact that he was a genuine athlete who wanted to reach the top, no matter what the challenge,” he said.
“He rose to become one of Namibia’s elite athletes in his discipline and was on the brink of his career. His ambition was to compete at the Commonwealth Games next year and the 2020 Olympic Games, and to obtain his best results,” he added.
Ekandjo conveyed his condolences to Costa’s mother, Renate, saying she had raised a strong son that Namibia could be proud of.
“Like a true Olympian he bravely fought his battle to the finishing line, never giving up, never looking back, overcoming his challenges and setbacks to remain focussed on achieving his goals until he greeted us two weeks ago.”
“I would like to invite all to celebrate the life of a fantastic athlete with a willingness to work hard to achieve his dreams. Let us remember how diligently and passionately he approached his races, and what a worthy competitor he was,” he said.
Matthews said that Seibeb was destined for greatness.
“The sport of cycling has been searching for a hero just like him: supremely talented, confident, assured and with a smile that was completely disarming and infectious at the same time. He had come through the ranks steadily and once he entered the competitive cycling scene, Costa would become a hero for many youngsters who would never have given cycling a second glance,” he said.
According to Matthews, Seibeb was supremely confident and a highly intelligent cyclist.
“He was an extremely intelligent cyclist who knew his strengths and the weaknesses of his opponents; and when his attacks came it was both ruthless and decisive,” he said.
Mathews expressed the hope that Seibeb’s legacy would inspire others to follow his lead.
“As we pay tribute to this young man let us never forget how he just would not allow his humble beginnings to define his future. And while we have now been denied the joy of seeing him fly Namibia’s banner on the highest stage, let us nevertheless find joy in remembering Costa and the effortless freedom that he cycles with,” he said.
Heymans, himself a legendary Namibian cyclist, said that Seibeb was one of the brightest diamonds that Namibian cycling had ever seen.
“I don’t think any of us could imagine how big this diamond was. It was not only a big one, it was also one of the hardest ones I’ve seen, maybe even harder than I was,” he said.
Heymans paid tribute to the role that Namibian professional cyclist Dan Craven and his parents played in supporting and developing Seibeb as a young cyclist.
“I do not know much about Costa’s past or where he came from, but when he made his first appearance, we all knew about it. Dan, Pat and the late Doc Craven can feel very proud of discovering this diamond and to have the vision to start shaping it,” he said.
Heymans paid tribute to the role that Nedbank Namibia played in supporting Seibeb and helping him through a controversial career where he often clashed with authority.
“The support and effort from Nedbank was something Namibia has not seen before. Now and then the diamond dropped off the table, but again and again, Nedbank helped Pat Craven to pick up this diamond, all with a vision.”
Despite Seibeb’s often controversial career, Heymans said he would rather remember his achievements and his brilliant potential.
“On the first of May, busy doing what Costa knew best – winning races – the diamond dropped again, but this time it shattered into millions of pieces. What’s left is what we make of it: Remember the rough beautiful diamond, or think of the millions of pieces. I can only think of the rough diamond.”
There were also tributes by members of the Physically Active Youth organisation, sport administrator Harald Fulle and fellow cyclist Michelle Vorster, who’s message was read by her husband Johan.
Michelle was not present since she was competing at the African Mountain Bike Championships in Mauritius, where she said that she would be riding in memory of Seibeb.
Two days later Michelle gave a fitting tribute to Costa Seibeb when she won the Elite women’s title to become the African champion for the first time.
