Tigers and national netball star Elizabeth ‘Demolition’ Hipondoka was one of the country’s most gifted players before independence.
Popularly known as Ndemuhanga, or simply Ndemu, in netball circles, the Windhoek-born all-rounder started her glittering netball career at Namutoni Senior Primary School as a wing-attacker, before she converted to a goalshooter in 1978 at the former Katutura Senior Secondary School, now officially known as Immanuel Shifidi Secondary.
Hipondoka also played for the Tigers first team and was a proud winner of the Junior Netball Championships in 1982.
“I was a very enthusiastic netball player. I was never forced by anyone to play, because I enjoyed every moment on the netball court. It was my childhood dream to play for a top team one day, and only one team was on my mind – Tigers.
“It was like a religion for me to go watch Tigers train and play. I was particularly impressed by the exciting Ipula Damases (Shipanga then) and Aina Amaambo, who were two of the best goalshooters in the game at the time. I told myself to play like them one day.”
Little did Hipondoka know that she would end up playing alongside Damases one day – someone whom she admired and one of the most talented and disciplined players of her generation.
She says she maintained the discipline she was taught by Damases during her beginner years at Tigers throughout her glittering career which span over almost two decades.
“I can proudly say today that I have left a lasting impression on Namibian netball. People still recognise me on the streets as one of Tigers’ and Namibia’s star players.
“My opponents knew that they could never rest on the laurels when I was around.
“I was a committed team player, and I was always punctual for practice and matches. I always listened to my coach and senior players, and my loyalty to Tigers was unquestionable. The commitment I showed for Tigers made the national team coaches recognise me,” she says.
Hipondoka was the only Tigers player, and one of the first Namibian netball players to have represented the country at the prestigious Milo World Series in New Zealand in 1993 under coach Nico Smit.
The tournament was an eye-opener for the Tigers star and her teammates.
Black Africa expectedly formed the bulk of the team.
“We received a thorough crushing in the opening test match of the series against the Milo Invitation team going down 72-38, while the second test against New Zealand saw us biting the dust as the host scored 94 points, but at least we managed 16 past them.
“We fought very bravely against the Cook Islands in the third test, and our efforts almost paid dividends as we lost by a paltry four points as the final score stood at 59-63 while we managed to record 39 points against a powerful Milo Invitation side which scored 77,” she says.
Namibia managed two victories from their five international friendlies that saw them beating a Bay of Plenty side 61-44 (in a return match) while they also narrowly defeated a Taranaki side 49-42.
However, three losses against Young Internationals (39-58), Bay of Plenty (52-63) and a 55-57 defeat by a Nelson-Marlborough combined side, reminded them of their minor status in world netball.
“We may have received very big hidings in New Zealand, but I brought very valuable points back home from our tour. I developed a completely new perspective on the game of netball. I have really learnt a lot, and my tactical game improved drastically.
“Those were world-class players we played against. Players I only saw on television, and only wished to play against. Little did I know I would share the same court and play against them one day. The Milo World Series was really a dream come true,” she says.
Hipondoka was also part of a powerful central regional team, which toured Bloemfontein in South Africa.
The former Tigers player of the year was an integral part of the Namibian team that competed in regional tournaments in Lesotho, Swaziland and Namibia, while she also toured Malaysia with the national team.
WORK, FAMILY
The single mother of one daughter is employed as a clerk at a private clinic at Katutura, where she first started working in 1989.
“I started working here in 1989, when it was still known as Dr Ihuhua and Dr Cupido’s Consulting. We were one of, if not the first clinic that offered the community of Katutura medical services at their doorstep.
“I have really grown old in my job here. My duties are doing the filing, opening files for new patients, and being known as the mecca of circumcisions in Namibia, I have also been required to assist the doctor in the theatre.
“I am still enjoying working here, but dealing with impatient patients remains a challenge,” she says.
Although Hipondoka retired from the game a long time ago, she remained as a coach of Immanuel Shifidi Secondary School during a tenure that also earned her a coach of the year title by the Khomas Schools Netball Union.
She has now stopped coaching, but is still helping out as an umpire at Goreangab Junior Secondary, a job she is passionate about.
Hipondoka, who is also a serial winner as player-coach of the Telecom Namibia netball team during the Telecommunications Regional Sports Tournaments, says she is satisfied with her achievements in netball, as well as in her life.
Known as someone who hated to lose during her heyday, Hipondoka’s advice to young players is to focus fully on their game and to refrain from alcohol and drug abuse.
“Listen attentively to your coach. Learn to always be punctual, and never hesitate to put in extra hours of training on your own. The best sportsmen and women will tell you that practice makes perfect. Do that with discipline and respect,” she says.
