Netball, once viewed as a preserve of the female gender, is undergoing a quiet revolution. The recent NASH and Stella netball competitions at Maranda in Mwenezi District confirmed that this is no longer just a women’s game. Interestingly, some of the standout coaches in this year’s tournament were men—an indication of changing dynamics in school sports.
A surprise exit for perennial contenders Mwenezi Government High, coached by Taruvinga Mashindi, marked a shift in the district’s power structure. They were ousted by Gukuku Secondary School, another male-coached team, although Gukuku eventually fell to Maranda High in a tightly contested final. Notably, Maranda’s team is led by a female coach, Mhango Y, assisted by Sheunesu Bonda—a pairing that reflects the new, more inclusive face of the sport.
Gukuku’s rise has turned heads. Long seen as a lesser-known school in netball circles, they now pose a serious challenge. Their journey to the finals was not a fluke, but the result of strategic coaching, teamwork, and belief.
For years, Mwenezi Government has been a symbol of academic and sporting excellence in the district. The school has produced national players like Beullar Hlungwani and Progress Moyo, both of whom represented Zimbabwe at the Netball World Cup in South Africa. Another notable name is Adiola Maponde, who featured for Glow Netball Club. But this time around, the mighty fell, with all their sports teams facing defeat—a humbling moment for a school once seen as invincible.
Much of Gukuku’s success is credited to their 25-year-old coach, Engetelani Mahulanova—a passionate, unemployed but qualified teacher from Mushava. Despite the long distance to Gukuku (almost 200km from home), he chose to coach there rather than at the school he attended, which is barely a kilometer from his doorstep. Perhaps this is proof of the old saying: a prophet is not honoured in his own homeland.
Mahulanova, who holds a Bachelor of Education Honours in Shona and History, began his netball journey in 2017. He played at Great Zimbabwe University and even represented teams beyond Zimbabwe’s borders. His coaching credentials include Level 1 and 2 certifications, a diploma in coaching and umpiring, and hands-on experience in the national league, where he coaches Argistars.
While many have rushed to heap praise on the young coach, he remains grounded: “I’m just a passionate netball coach. I’m grateful to the teachers at Gukuku for believing in me. This success is a team effort, involving Madam Z, Mr. Ncube, the entire staff, and our sports director Mr. Chrispen Zezai.”
Though jobless, Mahulanova is making a name for himself in both sports and academics. A former teacher describes him as “passionate, sometimes temperamental, but a rare asset for any school that values both education and sport.”
As the district digests this shift in its netball landscape, credit must go to all involved for staging such a thrilling and competitive tournament. As Jonas Gudhuza, a former teacher and Level 1 coach, remarked, “The netball games were pulsating. Even the favourites, Mwenezi Government, didn’t go down without a fight. It was a day to remember.”
And so ends another chapter in school sports. As netball embraces new faces and challenges the old order, one can only wonder: what more surprises lie ahead? On the global stage, the English Premier League wraps up with transfer drama in full swing. Closer to home, the Zimbabwe Premier League takes a break for the COSAFA games, where Zimbabwe recently drew 0-0 with Mauritius and is set to face South Africa on Sunday.
As always, from under the Mango Tree, we watch the game—changing, growing, and refusing to stay in the lines we once drew for it.
Chana CheMasvingo the Wordsmith
johannesmikemupisa11@gmail.com
0775125488
