Flamingo - Sport & Adventure - Zinedine Zidane Gariseb future soccer star
I'm a star, I’m going to play soccer and run like Frankie Fredericks. I’ll bring Gold to Namibia one day." These are the words of 10-year-old Zizi Gariseb, a Grade 4 learner of Steenkamp Primary School in Katutura.
I’ve been sourcing Namibians from all walks of life to interview for my column and went to Katutura on a Saturday afternoon to find suitable candidates. During my search I dropped in to see some friends and caught up with the family's soon-to-be-eleven Zizi. He asked me inquisitively what I was on about and after explaining my case, exclaimed that he was indeed the ideal person for such an interview and promptly offered me his ‘valuable time’. I was taken aback by his forward offer and kindly declined, after which a debate followed. When I said Namibians from all walks of life, I was being a bit biased. I’d had only adults or at least youth in mind. But from our conversation it was clear that I would have to scrap my reservations, as Zizi was in no way about to yield his opportunity for publicity.
I soon realised I was challenging myself to a duel with a very sharp and cheeky youngster. As he rightfully said, kids are also Namibians. It takes a clever adult to know when to give up, as you don't really want to look like a fool. The fact of the matter was that I had no choice but to concede. Young Zizi had won the debate and life had introduced me to a tenacious and determined youngster.
From the outset it is clear that he is someone worth an interview. He brings me a chair and offers me Oros, the rasberry flavour, his favourite, which his mom, Cecilia, brings smiling. She tells me that while Zizi is a handful, he is a lovable little boy, and strokes his head fondly. I nod and take a sip of my juice. In between sips I speak to his mom about the details of the exercise. She tells me she is already proud of her son and doesn't mind if I write about him. Impatiently Zizi reminds us that he would like to start telling me about himself, a cue for his mum to excuse herself. She laughs, takes my now empty glass and walks back to the kitchen. I sit in the shack wondering just how I had allowed myself to be talked into this interview. Zizi sits himself down on an old paint container with a smile that exudes his excitement and zeal. Unfortunately I find myself in the deep end, as I have not had to feature a 10-year-old before. We stare at each other for several minutes before Zizi’s puppy, Pert, disrupts the silence by jumping onto his lap, playfully seeking attention. "This is Pert, my pet doggie. He is very funny and he likes to chase me," he says, mellowing the pup by lulling him to sleep. Misky, the cat, joins the pup and lies down at the boy's feet, obviously vying for Zizi's attention.
When I ask Zizi to tell me about himself and his life, he breaks loose, chattering about a dozen colourful adventures, from playing soccer to writing little stories for reading exercises, all of which are woven into his ‘autobiography’. He introduces himself as follows: "My name is Zinedine and I'm 10 years old. I am good at school and have my own bank account as part of my class group. I love soccer and playing with my puppy. I played with the big boys in the under-15 team of the Mary Beth League and my uncle was my coach. My mom is Cecilia Garises and I have two big brothers and one sister. I am the last born. I live with my family and my granny, Mama. She is a very strict granny and makes me do many chores because she doesn't want me to be lazy. When I grow up I want to be a soccer star like my idol Drogba. He plays for my favourite team, Chelsea. I have the name of Zinedine Zidane because my mum wanted me to play soccer like he did. At school I play rugby, but my mum wants me to run like Frankie because I can also be very fast. Or she wants me to be a singer. I never sing vals [out of tune] and I take after my father. He was a singer in the choir. Can I also say that I love to eat? Pap and Marmite make you strong... that’s usually my breakfast.” Then he keeps quiet and frowns as if in deep thought, scratching his head. When I try to catch his attention, he tells me that he is trying to remember if he forgot anything. I laugh, then wait for him to refresh his memory. “Ah yes, I'm a writer!" he exclaims. "I write interesting stories about my dog and other things."
To prove his point he jumps up and rushes into the house, returning a minute later with his school bag, out of which he produces a storybook made out of basic A4 writing paper, sporting drawings of various Ninja figures posing in different deadly positions. "Look! This story is titled The Ningar Marsters Part 1. It’s about the Ninjas I saw in the movie. They are all dangerous and they have super powers, but I'm still not done with it, so you can read it another day. And here is my report card. My teacher says I will pass well this year. I also win books every year for my good work". The report card depicts Zizi's intellect as it as decorated with As, Bs and a C. I congratulate him as I admire his excellence in his schoolwork. And I'm astonished at how at his age he manages to accommodate so many activities in his life and still make a runaway success of them. He is a jack of most trades and master of all. Unlike many children (and adults) of his ethnicity, he is fluent in reading and writing the complicated and unique click-based language of the Damara. He prides himself in being a /Gowani who, although very tender in age, knows of and appreciates his customs. Like most Namibians he is tri-lingual, also speaking Afrikaans and English fluently.
Patriotism is a sentiment foreign to many people, but it is Namibians like young Zizi who strive to inspire Namibianism in countless form and colours. I'm proud to see that love of self is deeply etched in the heart of someone who has yet to grasp absolute understanding of his country’s difficult and struggle-ridden past. Through his innocent yet objective eyes and the love for his country, I gain renewed appreciation and pride for being a daughter of this warm hub of love, peace and togetherness. Zizi and Namibia are true gems worth discovering and exploring. He was right. He was indeed the perfect candidate for an interview and I am blessed to have been exposed to the wonder of this talented, awe-inspiring little boy.
