Namibia and rugby (Bob and Sean Furter)

[loic]

The Republic of Namibia was called South West Africa under German colonization

In 1946, South Africa fougth against Germany and asked the annexation of South West Africa.
Due to the high number of ethnies, in 1950's the Apartheid was set up. Therefore there was segregation between people of different color: whites, blacks, and colored.
In 1966, South West Africa was under the United Nation guardianship and was renamed Namibia, in reference to the Namib Desert.

Namibia became independant the 1rst (of) March 1990, after 30 years of civil war.

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I introduce me: my name is bob, I am a journalist and I will interview a Namibian rugby player. His name is Sean Furter and he was captain of the national team: the Welwischias.

Hello Sean, firstly, may you tell me what is a welwischias.
Welwischias is a plant which grows in Namib desert.

Is it the emblem of the team ?
No! The emblem is the African Fish Eagle, it is also on the National coat of arms

Today you have reached the top of your rugby professional career. How did you succeed it? Before all, Where are you born?
I am born in 1977 at Tsumeb. It's a mining town in Oshikoto region.

Is there a rugby team in Tsumeb ?
No it is not

What are the famous teams of Namibia?
There are « The United », « The Wanderers » and « The Western Suburbs » in Khomas region, near to Windhoeck, the capital of Namibia. Futhermore, there are the team of Grootfontein in Otjozondjupa, and « The Rehoboth » and « The Reho Falcons » in Hardap.

About your education, did you go to school at Tsumeb ?
Yes but it was different as today. Since 1990, There is a basic education curriculum guide to reform the education: the goal is education for all. Education is free and compulsory from the age of 6 to 16. Hence, the system consists in 3 phases: Low Primary, Upper Primary, and Junior Secondary.

I know you have studied linguistic, mathematic and natural scientific at primary school, do your chidren too?
Yes but in addition they follow social studies, artistic, religious education, Physical Education and technological learning during 26 hours in a week.

Well, after your studies, you have left Tsumeb for playing in the bigger club of Namibia: The United.
Yes, it was not easy to left my family, but i was very enthusiast to play in a famous club.

And finally, you have been selected to participate to 2 world cups with Namibia Rugby Union Team. Can you tell me how the last was?
Oh! it was fabulous! We were walking through the stadium wearing our blue shirts, dark blue shorts, and red socks. We were holding the Namibian Flag and singing the National hymn : « Namibia, land of the brave ».

Unfortunatly, you lost the tournament. Nevertheless, you were paid. What is the money here in Namibia?
I was paid with Namibian Dollars. But you can use South African Rand.

Do you have holidays during your training?
I will come back to Tsumeb for Christmas and New Year Day.

Is there other free days in the year?
Yes, the main free days are the Independance Day, the 21rst March, the International Human Rights Day, the 10th decembre, the Africa Day the 25th May, the Heroes Day the 26th August, an all the Christian Fests.

And do you have any typical dishes ?
Yes, my mother cooks tradional dishes like porridge, and soup made from cornmeal, millet and cassava. Sometimes she cooks german dishes or South African dishes like bread, cake and biltong.

Really? The welwischias are called the Biltong Boere too, aren't they?
Yes, they are.

What is a biltong?
It is a air-dried meat.

I notice you speak english very well.
Yes, it is the official language in Namibia

Is there other languages spoke n in Namibia?
In fact, most of the people speak Afrikaans. There are also German and many indigenous languages.

I thank you for these answers and i wish you merry christmas. Have good time with your family.