Tribute to Stimela

I WOULD like to make use of this opportunity to say farewell to a very close friend who was like a brother to me.

Salathiel Michael Ndjao, or Stimela as he was known in football circles, will be laid to rest tomorrow at Walvis Bay after he passed away last week. Stimela was born at Walvis Bay and played soccer for his home teams Super Stars, Eleven Arrows and Blue Waters.He last turned out for Orlando Pirates in Windhoek and he also had a short stint with Young Beauties from Keetmanshoop during his illustrious career.But I would like to recount the days when he played for Benfica and I was on the books of Chief Santos at Tsumeb in the mid 1980s.I’ve known Stimela as a very fine footballer, ruthless in the tackle and a good header of the ball, with excellent timing both as a defender and playmaker.We stayed at my uncle’s house in Nomtsoub location together with my cousin Karel Tateiks Kanyemba, the man notorious for breaking the late Black Africa midfield sensation Bernard ‘Kae Kapa Kae’ Diocotlhe during the Metroplitan Cup final at the Katutura Stadium in 1988.Both Karel and the late Stimela were defenders with Benfica while I played upfront for Santos.You must imagine the intimidation that went at home on match day whenever the two archrivals had to clash.Stimela was such an intimidating figure but people very close to him like myself have come to know him as a gentle giant.His football skills were excellent and his never-say-die approach one of his strongest attributes.One of his hidden characteristics was his love for music and his great ability to dance.He is the man who introduced me to the dynamic sounds of the Whispers and let me bid farewell by to a good friend by saying “It’s a Love Thing” indeed my friend, and may your soul rest in eternal peace.Your friend Conrad Ndeyapo AngulaStimela was born at Walvis Bay and played soccer for his home teams Super Stars, Eleven Arrows and Blue Waters.He last turned out for Orlando Pirates in Windhoek and he also had a short stint with Young Beauties from Keetmanshoop during his illustrious career.But I would like to recount the days when he played for Benfica and I was on the books of Chief Santos at Tsumeb in the mid 1980s.I’ve known Stimela as a very fine footballer, ruthless in the tackle and a good header of the ball, with excellent timing both as a defender and playmaker.We stayed at my uncle’s house in Nomtsoub location together with my cousin Karel Tateiks Kanyemba, the man notorious for breaking the late Black Africa midfield sensation Bernard ‘Kae Kapa Kae’ Diocotlhe during the Metroplitan Cup final at the Katutura Stadium in 1988.Both Karel and the late Stimela were defenders with Benfica while I played upfront for Santos.You must imagine the intimidation that went at home on match day whenever the two archrivals had to clash.Stimela was such an intimidating figure but people very close to him like myself have come to know him as a gentle giant.His football skills were excellent and his never-say-die approach one of his strongest attributes.One of his hidden characteristics was his love for music and his great ability to dance.He is the man who introduced me to the dynamic sounds of the Whispers and let me bid farewell by to a good friend by saying “It’s a Love Thing” indeed my friend, and may your soul rest in eternal peace.Your friend Conrad Ndeyapo Angula