A LEGEND RESTS
Motorsport heads pay tribute to fallen soldier
ON Sunday 15th March, motorsport fans woke up to the sad news of the death of one of the most talented and charismatic car spinners in Francistown.
Alfred Eugene Kierstead had an accident at a notorious curve near Impala after loosing control of his Jeep Cherokee.
Police said the 31-year-old’s car rolled over a couple of times. He was certified dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Kierstead was buried last Saturday 21st March, at a packed funeral attended by many of his friends, family and spinning fanatics where he was described as a dare devil with limitless abilities. On the 20th, his body was taken to The Ghetto Spin Palace, a spinning track he personally built and was officially launched this year.
According to some of the organisers, they had to take his body to the ‘Palace’ to allow him to say his goodbyes to his pitch and favourite place.
Kierstead, who was born without arms, defied logic and learnt how to drive at a very young age, rode quad bikes, snowboarded and even knew how to swim. The ever smiling father-of-one was a member of the BMW Spinning Club and was the sole financier of the the first spinning pitch in Francistown. At the time of his untimely death, he was an entrepreneur and also managed Caltex Marang Filling Station.
In a moving tribute to his colleague, Botswana Motor Sport Association Public Relations Officer, Joseph Khengere, said the sport has lost a loyal and talented son.
“He had feet as small as a mustard seed. Eugene is a legend who had an unimaginable ability,” said Khengere.
“For a guy with no hands, it was amazing to see some of the stuff he could do and what he achieved at a very young age. He left no stone unturned in his dream to build the first spinning pitch in Francistown. He invested his own funds to build that place which will remain his legacy,” concluded an emotional Khengere.
Another spinner, Nkwebi ‘Magistrate’ Binda from Block 8 Riders Club, described the deceased as a hardworking and compassionate young man who was dedicated to his craft.
“He was disabled but could change his own tyre. He never wanted to depend on anyone to a point that sometimes we forgot he had no arms,” said Binda.
“His main dream was to bring spinning to Francistown, and he did,” he added.
Kierstead is survived by his wife of four years, Koziba Kierstead, and their daughter. Rest In Peace.