Tate Pau, the groundsman behind the MTC HopSol League’s magic

Before the first MTC HopSol League match begins at Jan Möhr Football Field, Paulus Shindombo has already spent hours preparing the venue. Known throughout the league as Tate Pau, the 59-year-old groundsman is responsible for the playing surfaces and much of the facility’s upkeep.

Shindombo, who comes from Namibia’s Oshikoto region, moved into the work after taking a job in Okahandja in 2000. He performed general maintenance there until 2009 before his connection with HopSol co-founder Collin Benjamin led to further work. After painting the football clubhouse during the 2019 refurbishment, he was offered a permanent role caring for the school’s sporting facilities.

He had no previous experience managing grass, but received practical guidance before being given a lawn mower by Dr Robert Hopperdietzel, another HopSol co-founder. Shindombo gradually developed his methods, aiming to produce a surface with the even appearance of artificial turf. Restoring the field from the beginning took about six months before it was ready for matches.

His routine starts at around 08:00 with the automated watering system and plants around the two fields. He then checks the clubhouse, toilets and pipelines, deals with any leaks or damage, inspects the sprinklers and looks for worn or dry areas. Grass is trimmed, patches are replanted and the field is checked to ensure it remains level and clean.

Match preparation continues throughout the week. The surface is watered and cut, while the lines are marked before games. Benjamin regards Shindombo as a versatile member of the league, citing his ability to handle plumbing, electrical repairs, construction, painting, maintenance and grass transplanting.

For Shindombo, the work is closely tied to the young players who use the venue. He often returns to watch matches even when he is off duty, and takes pride when players and parents praise the condition of the grass. His work has also earned the confidence of parents, some of whom have hired him for private jobs.