Deon Hotto Foundation officially launched

Brave Warriors midfielder Deon Hotto (nickname DH7) and his family pledged N$2 million to the ambitions of the foundation that bears his name.

The Hotto family stepped up in addition to a pledge for land for the first projects from the municipal council of Swakopmund and other pledges valued at N$ 1million, received at the official launch of the Deon Hotto Foundation at Windhoek Country Club on 13 June.

“It was not easy to put N$2 million together, but I had to do it because I have a vision and that is why I’m getting this foundation stared. I know with God’s speed it will realize,” he said.

Swakopmund councillor Claus Goldbeck confirmed that a resolution on the provision of two plots of land (1.5 hectares and 1 hectare) for the envisioned Deon Hotto 10 000 seater stadium in Mondesa was submitted and is pending to be signed off, while Tim Ekandjo stepped in with a pledge of N$100 000.

The deputy minister of sport, Emma Kantema-Gaomas, Hotto’s agent Machini Motloung, Collin Benjamin, former world champion sprinter Frank Fredericks, former Beave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti and Elton Katangolo (a longtime friend) paid tribute to Hotto the versatile Namibian national team midfielder and South African based Premier League club, Orlando Pirates stalwart.

The deputy minister congratulated Hotto and said he demonstrated that your work and contribution as an athlete to the country does not start and end on the sports field.

“We cannot attach a monetary worth to what you will be doing in the lives of children in Mondesa. This is an example worth emulating and I am encouraging other athletes to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Frank Fredericks and Deon Hotto.”

Hotto was born and raised in Swakopmund and intends to use the funds pledged at the launch for the development of a stadium in the Mondesa suburb of his hometown.

Three DH Sports Facilities (each accommodating two 5-a side football courts and a netball court) will also be built in Swakopmund, Omaruru and Okahandja. According to the 10-year outline of the envisioned projects, the construction of the first DH Sports Facility will commence in 2024 and could be completed in 2025.

Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza, one of the biggest names in football administration in South Africa, commended Hotto. “Your dedication to give back by building a stadium is truly inspiring. You have achieved great heights on the field as a seasoned professional and with this project, you are making an even greater impact off the field.

“Your efforts will undoubtedly create lasting opportunities for aspiring athletes and foster a spirit of unity and pride in your hometown. Keep shining as a beacon of hope and progress for Namibia.”

The mandate of the Foundation is to complement and assist with the provision of sport infrastructure and to uplift young disadvantaged persons and communities.

In fact, the Foundation intends to become the preferred sports agency for mentoring and managing young talent.

“Deon is convinced that many of the best Namibian soccer players are from the coast. He also recognises that there is massive inequality in the allocation of resources and due to what transpired in the past.

“This moved him to come up with creating opportunities for young talented players who do not have the means to reach their full potential,” explained Carl Pesat, the chairman of the Deon Hotto Foundation.

“We want to replicate this concept in other parts of Namibia. The foundation will thus drive and enable the development of sports facilities in Namibia and provide support to soccer and other sports codes as well as less fortunate communities,” Pesat concluded.

Plans by the Foundation to host the fourth edition of the Deon Hotto Charity Cup in Omaruru this year are already at an advanced stage. The inaugural edition was hosted in Henties Bay in 2019, the second edition in Henties Bay (2022) and the third edition took place in Swakopmund (2023).

The foundation also started a donation initiative in 2018 and provides two donations per year to old age homes, orphanages, schools and sport clubs. Previous beneficiaries include Coastal High School and Atlantic Combined School in Swakopmund as well as Pahye Primary School in Omaruru.