The game-changing Goodwill Challenge

Yochanaan Coetzee

The recent Officeconomix Goodwill Challenge, which saw Namibia’s Windhoek Draught Welwitschias take on an invitational Blue Bulls XV team, was a momentous occasion where all in attendance - and Namibian rugby in general - won big, despite the local boys losing to the visiting team.

Sport fans, players from the various teams which took part in the warm-up exhibitions throughout the day and the nation benefitted greatly from the opportunity to enjoy a day filled with sporting action, long not seen due to the prevailing pandemic. Especially with the national team ramping up preparations for the upcoming Rugby World Cup Qualifiers.

There were other winners too. Realising need to contribute to the dilapidated Hage Geingob rugby stadium, Officeconomix stakeholders rallied to invest over N$3.5 million into its rehabilitation.

“This whole initiative was birthed as a dream to contribute to the future of Namibian rugby. It was spontaneous, and we don’t know where it will lead in the future, but it was extremely humbling to see how so many corporate entities and other stakeholders came together to not only put on a rugby spectacle like never before seen in Namibia, but also leave a lasting legacy in the development of the sport and the critical infrastructure it needs to grow,” Paul Oosthuizen from Officecomix, the initiator of the Goodwill Challenge, said.

“There are so many partners, sponsors and stakeholders that helped make the challenge a reality, but with regard to the refurbishment of the stadium, I think Ingwe Cleaning Services, Ardmore and NEO Paints deserve a special mention,” he added.

Willpower, wheels and

big winsThroughout the day, there were many smiles as lucky attendees won prizes including N$10 000 for the most accurate score prediction and a 50-inch flat-screen TV. The main prize for the day, however, was the one everyone wanted - a brand-new Nissan Magnite.

Inspired by rugby legend Jannie de Beer’s record-setting five drop-kicks in a win over England in the 1999 Rugby World Cup, Oosthuizen and team decided that a drop-goal competition would be a fitting challenge for this top prize.

Henry Venter, whose rugby career spanned only until the end of his grade eight year, kicked off his shoes and then, as Oosthuizen puts it, “made a miracle happen”.

“It all happened so quickly. The next thing I knew, the stadium erupted and I was being rushed to my new car,” a visibly elated Venter said.

The 22-year-old officially took ownership of his brand-new Nissan Magnite at a handover ceremony on Friday, 10 June, at the BlackHouse in Windhoek.

The event was attended by key stakeholders, including FNB, the main sponsor of the vehicle and Hollard, who will be providing insurance cover for the vehicle. Pupkewitz Nissan and Synergi Marketing, the media partner, which also administrated the various competitions, were also in attendance.