As Namibia marks Workers' Day, attention turns to the country's sporting sector, where passion, performance, and profession intersect, though not always equally.
From administrators to elite athletes, the question remains: can sport in Namibia truly be considered sustainable work?
For many, sport has long been seen as recreation, but administrators say this perception is changing as the industry grows into a recognized economic contributor.
Namibia Sport Commission’s Chief Administrator Freddy Mwiya stated "You know, the sport industry is a profession like any other. Globally, it is a billion-dollar industry, and even in Namibia, although we haven't reached that level, there is growth. The industry now employs many people, from administrators to players and those providing services. It also creates opportunities through internships and volunteerism, contributing to employment at various levels - primary, secondary, and even tertiary sectors, like transport and hospitality. So, when you look at it holistically, sport is contributing to employment and livelihoods in Namibia."
However, while growth is visible, sustainability remains a challenge, with many athletes unable to rely solely on sport for a living.
Mwiya said aligning with this year's Workers' Day theme - "Namibian workers demand continuous in-service training for increased productivity, national economic growth, and better living conditions" - is critical for unlocking the sector's full potential.
He added "I want to address in-service training. For workers to become productive, they need to be trained, and training must be continuous. Many of our sport administrators were trained in a different era. To professionalize sport, we must invest in development programs to move from where we are to where we want to be. Resources must be made available for training, or it will be difficult to achieve professionalism in the sector."
While policy and structure are still evolving, athletes on the ground continue to navigate very different realities.
Paralympian Johannes Nambala, a two-time silver medalist at the Rio 2016 Paralympics and world champion, said success on the track does not always translate into financial security.
"Especially for us as Paralympians, we don't enter competitions without bringing back medals. But when you return home, sometimes there is nothing - no support, no sponsorship. It becomes discouraging when you compare it to other athletes who may not perform the same but receive more recognition and benefits. Even when you look for work, some employers don't want to hire you because of your disability. It becomes very difficult to sustain yourself, even when you are representing your country" Nambala said.
For women in sport, the challenges are often more layered.
Brave Gladiators and FC Ongos player Kylie Van Wyk, who also works at the Dome, balances a full-time job with football, reflecting the financial realities many female athletes face.
"I think it's the level of exposure. Right now, we play a few international games - qualifiers that are years apart - and our league runs for about six months. For the rest of the year, there is no football. Without international exposure, it's difficult for us to be seen. So, those who make it abroad are very fortunate. That's why it's hard to rely solely on football, especially as a woman"van Wyk said.
However, in some sports, a different picture is emerging.
Namibian cricket captain Gerhard Erasmus, a two-time ICC Associate Cricketer of the Year, said cricket has made significant strides toward professionalism.
"I would be lying if I said it's true for all sports, but in cricket, it's certainly a viable career. Players are supported from a young age with contracts, and as you progress, you can earn a good salary. Cricket Namibia has created a structure where players feel secure, and many are able to make a living purely from the sport. So, in that sense, it really has become a professional career " Erasmus said.
From growth and opportunity to inequality and uncertainty, the sporting sector reflects the broader realities of work in Namibia, where progress is visible, but the journey toward sustainability continues.
As the country observes Workers' Day under the theme of continuous training for productivity and improved living conditions, the message from sport is clear: talent alone is not enough; investment, structure, and support remain essential.