Former Convict Raises Bar With ‘Kasi’ Gym

The sound of metal clanging is hard to miss when walking into Ondumbo Niise Gym.

“Ondumbo Niise” is Oshiwambo for “jealousy down”, a constant reminder of what non-members are missing out on.

Nestled among the corrugated iron sheet structures and shebeens of Ombili in the Katutura area of Windhoek, Ondumbo Niise has a kasi flavour and is easy on the wallet.

The gym was started by Johannes Jackson (49), who has spent eight years behind bars, but says he has turned his life around.

Through the gym, which he started with co-founder Phillip Shikemeni in 2020, Jackson aims to keep young people off the streets.

He says he was determined to rebuild his life after his release from prison and to contribute positively to his community.

Driven by a vision to keep the community fit and engaged, they started with only five members. This has since grown to about 150 members.

With no sponsors, the pair started with their personal savings.

When The Namibian visited the gym, it was packed with young people and adults, with some even pumping iron outside the facility.

Men and women were observed lifting heavy metal and doing squats and push-ups.

In one corner, a middle-aged man was furiously hitting a punching bag, while a young man in another corner was stretching before lifting a barbell.

“Returning home in 2018 after prison, I wanted to leave that life and become someone new. I thought of something that could transform lives and keep young people busy,” Jackson says.

He says those who cannot afford to become members are welcome to train for free.

“Our goal is to build a stronger community. The gym helps people stay focused and protect themselves, while also giving them a positive environment,” he says.

When they started the gym, training was free for all, but as interest grew, the founders introduced a small fee to help renovate and improve the facility.

“When we saw many people coming in, we decided to charge N$50 a month, because we needed equipment and to change the place. We kept increasing it by N$50 every year, until we got to N$200,” Shikemeni says.

The gym currently charges members N$30 per day and N$200 a month.

The two are calling on more community members to join and sponsors to help with equipment.

Barnabas Mushendje says he started going to the gym three months ago. He says he goes to the gym to keep fit and to be strong enough to protect himself.

“When I saw how strong the men in the gym were, I was inspired and I thought it’s close to home and I should start going. I was skinny, but now I’m strong and healthy,” he says.

Another member, Priskilla Uushona, says she works out for two hours in the morning and three hours in the evening.

She says she chose the gym because it is close to her home and she does not need to spend money on transport to access other gyms.

“I plan on coming every day. I want a normal and fit body in good shape. Even if I become rich, this will always be my gym, because home is home,” she says.

Magnaem Amupolo says she joined in early February. She says she was not enthusiastic at first, but needed something to distract her from personal challenges.

“I decided to join, because it is affordable. It was not easy at first, but there are benefits. It makes you fit, mentally stronger, and builds your confidence,” she says.

‘CONSISTENCY IS KEY’

Reginald Amadhila (22) says consistency is key to things eventually “falling into place”.

“This gym is unique, because it is located in an informal settlement. That is what makes it stand out. Staying healthy is not just about the physical, but the mind too,” he says.

Felix Matende (27) says the gym has brought discipline into his life.

“This gym has kept me away from alcohol and other toxic, unproductive things. I’m proud that I haven’t quit, like some do. People say we go to the gym to learn how to fight, but this is about mental health, not fighting,” he says.

Ombili resident Isack Shakala (34) says growing up, many young people in the community spent time at shebeens because they had nothing else to do, but that has changed since the gym was introduced.

“This is one of the greatest initiatives in the area. Ombili has been known for its high crime rate, but that is changing,” he says.

Shakala says he hopes the gym could be expanded in the same area as demand continues to grow.

“The councillor and governor should come on board to make land available for this initiative. You can see that the current space is not enough for the gym,” he says.

Swapo lawmaker Willem Amutenya in a Facebook post earlier this month said he was inspired to see the gym packed with young people during his visit.

He said the young people are committed to their health, making use of both standard and creatively recycled equipment through an affordable monthly subscription model.

“This is entrepreneurship at its best; identifying a need and providing a practical solution that directly benefits the community. I encouraged Jackson to apply for support from the youth fund to expand this important initiative.

“With the right backing, this gym could grow into an even greater asset for the community,” Amutenya’s post reads.

Amutenya urged individuals and businesses to support the gym through donations.

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