Former netball star reflects on colourful journey

Former Black Africa and Namibian national team netball star Samueline Kamurongo (35) is one player truly cut out for the game.

It took a little while for the gifted player to break into the all-conquering Black Africa team because she was kept waiting by the superlative Annie Kalomo.

But the Windhoek star set the league ablaze once she received the opportunity to showcase her talent in the centre court for the champion Katutura outfit.

“I had to wait a little bit longer to get my first team break after shining in both the second and third divisions in the highly competitive Central Netball League because the centre position was occupied by Annie who was by far the best centre player in the country.

“We had great players in Black Africa at that time. In fact, each player was so good in their position that even the national team selectors didn’t hesitate to call them all,” she says.

Kamurongo started playing netball at Theo Katjimune Primary School at Katutura and continued playing at St Barnabas Primary School, during which time she joined the third division side of Black Africa.

“I was still young, I think just 15 years old, when I joined Black Africa on invitation of my friend Kovirimbu Hengari. I literally grew up in Black Africa and that’s the only club I ever played for. I still love Black Africa and would never have played for any other team.

“Before I joined them in 1997, I was only playing for the school team against other girls of my own age. But playing for Black Africa meant I had to square up against older players in the third division before I got promoted to the second division team the following year,” she notes.

However, by the time she went to Ella du Plessis Secondary School, where she mostly participated in athletics and basketball, the speedy player was promoted to the first team where she joined the company of Jacky Gawanas, Jackie Veii and Rebecca Goagoses.

She says she had to play the waiting game, picking up advice and guidance from her tenacious captain Kalomo who would later also become her coach after retirement.

“Black Africa was buzzing at the time under the guidance of coach Beatrice Losper, whom I consider the best coach I have ever played under, both at club and junior national team level, followed by Annie Kalomo. I can’t remember how many times we won the league.

“I even started feeling sorry for the other teams, because no matter how much they tried, we were just getting stronger and stronger with each new season. I was integrating slowly into the first team. I even played wing-defence, goal-defence and wing-attack,” Kamurongo explains.

However, centre was always her preferred position, and she insists she was cut out for the position as she possessed all the qualities necessary.

“As a centre, you are actually dictating the play of the team. You have to apply your mind and be able to read the tactics of your opponents. If they play fast, you either outpace them or you slow down the tempo of your team to frustrate them.

“I enjoyed that role because I was fit, street-wise, alert as well as accurate with my passes. I had a telepathic understanding with my teammate Matti Nekundi. I would just know where to find her when I needed to pass her the ball,” she says.

Kamurongo received her first national team call-up at under-21 level on the team that went on duty in Zambia and Mozambique in 1998.

Soon, she developed into one of the most valuable members of the team, becoming the thorn in the flesh of her opponents in the Khomas First Division.

“My form on the netball court was definitely enhanced by my athleticism because apart from athletics, I was also an exceptional basketball player. I was one of the stars of the Racers team and I particularly enjoyed our battles against the powerful Civics Starzz.

“On the track I was thriving in the 400m, 800m, 1 500m and highjump, I dominated at secondary school. I became a darling of the Ella du Plessis school community,” Kamurongo says.

Unfortunately, things didn’t work out for the athlete. She had to drop out of school in Grade 10 and, as a result, Kamuronga could not pursue her athletics career further.

But athletic’s loss was netball’s gain as Kamuronga continued to grow rapidly, establishing herself as one the most sought after players in the Khomas netball league.

“I am happy that my netball career took a rapid upturn to such an extent that I played a pivotal role in the dominance of Black Africa in Namibian netball. We had a very powerful team and we also formed the bulk of the national teams during our reign.

“For me netball was just natural. Nothing gave me more pleasure than playing and winning a game of netball. Mind you, netball didn’t even hold monetary rewards for the players, we did it simply for the love of the game. Netball was in our blood,” Kamuronga says.

The retired star singles out the national netball team’s joint trip with the senior team football team to Malawi, in celebration of that country’s independence anniversary in 2003, as her most memorable trip with the netball team.

The former Black Africa player of the year is a mother to one daughter. She returned to Namibia before the Covid-19 lockdown after spending five years in the United Kingdom with her sister.

“I have been employed as a sales assistant by Woolworths for over two years now . . . Right now, I am just going with the flow and I am not complaining because I have a job,” she says.

Kamuronga, who stopped playing netball in 2010 because of a knee injury, mentions Kalomo as the person with the biggest influence on her career while she pinpoints former Orlando Pirates centre Stella Williams as her toughest opponent.

The former star is encouraging young netball players to look after themselves.

“The young players must choose if they want to be netball players or party gurus,” Kamuronga says.