Tonic's Really Good Sports Q&A: Dikembe Mutombo
The long-time NBA star known for his charitable work discusses the importance of his work in Africa.
by Marc Hertz
Dikembe Mutombo spent 18 years in the NBA, finishing his career second all-time in blocked shots with more than 3,000. Among his many accolades, he was chosen as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year four times. But it's his work off the court that's even more impressive. He started the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, Inc.in 1997, to improve health, education and quality of life in Kinshasa, his homeland and the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Among the foundation's accomplishments was raising money to help build a nearly $30 million hospital and research center in Kinshasa, one named after Mutombo's mother, Biamba Marie. His charitable work has earned him many awards, including the President's Service Award, the NBA's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award and the Laureus Sport for Good Award.
1. What cause is near and dear to your heart (and why)?
Trying to find a way to eradicate poverty in Africa and improve the living conditions of my people, especially those in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I am sickened by the way that people are dying around the continent from diseases, not only from AIDS, but from other diseases that have been eradicated in other parts of the world.
2. What was your most recent random act of kindness?
I think my most recent random act of kindness was at a recent March of DimesBoard of Governors' meeting. There was a little kid named Josh who was born prematurely and unable to walk or see; he was not going to make it. He came into this world four months before his due date. Today, he is 10 years old and I was impressed to see someone like Josh speaking to the public and challenging the March of Dimes' board members to continue their commitment to helping babies who are born prematurely in this country and the rest of the world.
Later on that afternoon, there was a silent auction and I got into a bidding war over an autographed football donated by Eli Manningof the New York Giants. I won the bid and gave the football to Joshua.
3. Where (or from whom) did you first learn about "giving back"?
I learned about giving back from my parents. I think that it is something that was part of my family tradition, so it was natural for me to give back to the community where I came from. This has always been close to my heart and I love to make a difference.
4. What activist/philanthropist most inspires you?
Nelson Mandela has inspired me the most throughout my life. To see the time and the price that this man paid for so long and to come out and devote himself to peace and for change, I think that there is no one else like that.
5. What are you hopeful for?
I am hopeful for peace and for the eradication of poverty, especially in Africa and Southeast Asia.
6. If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
If I could change one thing about the world I would say to find peace in Africa where we can put all conflicts aside and live as one nation.
7. What athlete/mentor most inspired you?
I have so many great mentors. Bill Russell was one of them who inspired me so much, the way that he was able to play on the basketball court and go out and win all those championships.
8. What was your most memorable game or sports moment and why?
My most memorable game was when I was with the Denver Nuggets and we played against the Seattle SuperSonics in the playoffs. The reason that this stands out is that in the game of basketball you can never underestimate your opponent — you have to come out prepared and play knowing that there is always tomorrow and to just give it your best and try to win the game. We were the number 8 seed and we ended up beating the number 1 seed, which was a first in the history of the NBA.
9. What's the one thing you want to do before you die?
I would like to see my kids grow up, finish school, get jobs, get married, have children of their own — maybe even meet my great grandchildren. That is what life is all about.
10. What's the best good advice you ever received?
My mom used to always tell me to never give up. Go out, try to touch as many lives as you can and God will bless you and will give you more from your efforts.
The long-time NBA star known for his charitable work discusses the importance of his work in Africa.
by Marc Hertz
Dikembe Mutombo spent 18 years in the NBA, finishing his career second all-time in blocked shots with more than 3,000. Among his many accolades, he was chosen as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year four times. But it's his work off the court that's even more impressive. He started the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, Inc.in 1997, to improve health, education and quality of life in Kinshasa, his homeland and the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Among the foundation's accomplishments was raising money to help build a nearly $30 million hospital and research center in Kinshasa, one named after Mutombo's mother, Biamba Marie. His charitable work has earned him many awards, including the President's Service Award, the NBA's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award and the Laureus Sport for Good Award.
1. What cause is near and dear to your heart (and why)?
Trying to find a way to eradicate poverty in Africa and improve the living conditions of my people, especially those in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I am sickened by the way that people are dying around the continent from diseases, not only from AIDS, but from other diseases that have been eradicated in other parts of the world.
2. What was your most recent random act of kindness?
I think my most recent random act of kindness was at a recent March of DimesBoard of Governors' meeting. There was a little kid named Josh who was born prematurely and unable to walk or see; he was not going to make it. He came into this world four months before his due date. Today, he is 10 years old and I was impressed to see someone like Josh speaking to the public and challenging the March of Dimes' board members to continue their commitment to helping babies who are born prematurely in this country and the rest of the world.
Later on that afternoon, there was a silent auction and I got into a bidding war over an autographed football donated by Eli Manningof the New York Giants. I won the bid and gave the football to Joshua.
3. Where (or from whom) did you first learn about "giving back"?
I learned about giving back from my parents. I think that it is something that was part of my family tradition, so it was natural for me to give back to the community where I came from. This has always been close to my heart and I love to make a difference.
4. What activist/philanthropist most inspires you?
Nelson Mandela has inspired me the most throughout my life. To see the time and the price that this man paid for so long and to come out and devote himself to peace and for change, I think that there is no one else like that.
5. What are you hopeful for?
I am hopeful for peace and for the eradication of poverty, especially in Africa and Southeast Asia.
6. If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
If I could change one thing about the world I would say to find peace in Africa where we can put all conflicts aside and live as one nation.
7. What athlete/mentor most inspired you?
I have so many great mentors. Bill Russell was one of them who inspired me so much, the way that he was able to play on the basketball court and go out and win all those championships.
8. What was your most memorable game or sports moment and why?
My most memorable game was when I was with the Denver Nuggets and we played against the Seattle SuperSonics in the playoffs. The reason that this stands out is that in the game of basketball you can never underestimate your opponent — you have to come out prepared and play knowing that there is always tomorrow and to just give it your best and try to win the game. We were the number 8 seed and we ended up beating the number 1 seed, which was a first in the history of the NBA.
9. What's the one thing you want to do before you die?
I would like to see my kids grow up, finish school, get jobs, get married, have children of their own — maybe even meet my great grandchildren. That is what life is all about.
10. What's the best good advice you ever received?
My mom used to always tell me to never give up. Go out, try to touch as many lives as you can and God will bless you and will give you more from your efforts.
