Sports is the greatest unifier in the world. On all the WhatsApp groups that I am part of, everyone will be talking about sports. Hardly a day passes without reference to sports, especially soccer. It is probably due to the fact that soccer is now not only an entertainer but has grown to be an income generator. Soccer betting is at its peak.
In one of the groups, Neshuro Residents, the likes of Paul Dhlamini, Munatsi, Masikati, and Vitalis Chauke, Mapfumo are always at it and at times bemoan how they would have lost betting tickets. Even Madzibaba Stepinage can sacrifice church time, especially when his team Tottenham is playing. Sports is indeed a darling among the young and old in every geographic location, even down in Boterere, Mlelezi, and Neshuro. All these places are in Mwenezi.
Tables have changed, and Mwenezi district is slowly rising to the occasion in all disciplines, be it sports, arts, or academics. Mwenezians in the past despised academics and opted to cross the Limpopo River, which is about 100 kilometres from them, into neighbouring South Africa to look for menial jobs. It’s all hindsight; Mwenezi is nurturing talent.
You cannot talk about sports in the province and omit Argistars from Mushava, not to be confused with Mashava. Argistars is a netball outfit that is creating headaches for other teams in the National Netball Premiership League.
This team of passionate young boys and girls is striving in the face of numerous hurdles that are curtailing their progress. These stars, are currently perched at number 13 on the 16-team log but their youthful coach Engetelani Mahulanova is very hopeful that if resources are availed, they will rise to the occasion. He highlighted transport challenges, which have seen them miss some of the games. Speaking to this publication, he also made a call to authorities for the need for the establishment of state-of-the art sports facilities.
‘Sports is very important in fighting the drug and substance abuse scourge.’ The team’s patron, Sheunesu Gwenzi, has been very supportive of the cause, has been using his personal funds, and has sourced funds for sponsorship for the teams. Yes teams.
Argistars now has a male netball team. Men have decided to try it out with this sporting discipline, which was previously a reserve for the female gender. Recently, Gwenzi and his friends managed to make a purchase of a quality netball jersey. Passion! The team’s coach is a graduate from Great Zimbabwe and a qualified teacher; all things being equal, this young man deserves a job. Surely, this could also be a panacea to the team’s woes.
With his passion, his salary will definitely aid his cause. To well wishers, I think here is an opportunity to aid a cause. ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo,’ people from Mwenezi should gather and help these guys achieve their dreams. What is it with this Mushava area?
Mushava to me is like the biblical Bethlehem, the birthplace of the Messiah. True, the star seems to have fallen in the area. The top goal scorer in the Northern Region’s Women’s Soccer League is Clementine Mavange, who hails from Mushava.
She is also the daughter of Penny Mavange, a teacher at Mushava, and plays for the Ngezi Platinum Queens. The district’s sports team that made the greatest stride is a handball team from Kuwirirana Secondary, which is at Mushava.
The team reached the national finals under the guidance of coach Nelson Mapuranga. More talent is being nurtured even in volleyball with the rise of young volleyball player Tonderai Dziva, who is currently writing his seventh grade examinations. Tonde is an exceptional player at Masogwe Primary and has played at many prestigious sports events regardless of his tender age. Like wine, I bet he will be getting better with age.
About cars, Chiefs have been given some more. There has been a general outcry from the populace about why such a decision could be made in the face of a terrible drought that has made thousands plunge into hunger.
This has left scars on many, but however the government is doing everything in its power to feed its starving population. The scars that have been left by the ravaging drought will take time to heal.
Even though many may blame the political leadership, where is the Almighty as the people desperately wait for rain? Pardon me, I am not being an atheist. Who am I to judge? It’s just a view!
Chana CheMasvingo aka
Johannes Mike Mupisa
0775125488
johannesmikemupisa11@gmail.com
