Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
YESTERDAY the nation stood united in solemn reflection of Heroes Day, honouring the sacrifices of those who fought for the country’s freedom.
Today Zimbabwe celebrates Defence Forces Day.
For the Kadewere family, this holiday, particularly August 12, carries an added weight of personal loss, the passing of their beloved Prince Kadewere.
Five years ago, on this day, Prince, elder brother to Warriors’ star Tino Kadewere, succumbed to a short illness, sending ripples of grief through Zimbabwe’s football fraternity and beyond.
Now plying his trade in Greece, Tino Kadewere leads the family’s tributes, his words dripping with raw emotion.
“Not a day goes by without thinking of my beloved brother and missing his presence. His laughter, his kindness, and his love continue to inspire me and will always cherish him in our hearts. I hold onto the memories we shared, he left a very huge gap and tough gap in the family,” said Kadewere.
The Warriors striker recently joined Greek Super League side Aris Thessaloniki.
It maybe too early for Kadewere to understand the Greek culture of remembering the departed — the preparation of kollyva — but that won’t stop him from remembering a brother that shaped his career from an early age.
Long before local fans had seen the brilliance of the former Harare City player, Prince had his eyes on the young brother at Prince Edward School, where he showed promise.
And he was one of the few who was not surprised when he saw him break into the Premiership under Taurai Mangwiro, into the Kalisto Pasuwa-coached Africa games team and eventually Djurgardens in Sweden.
Kadewere, who has now seen it all in France and Spain, looks back and realises more people played a big part for his success, Prince included.
“As I continue with this journey now in Greece, I always remember some of the important messages he shared with me as a young boy until his death. I still apply most of the principles he shared with me,” said Kadewere.
Prince died when Tino was at Lyon in France.
And the memories of his brother’s name illuminating on the LED screens of Lisbon’s Estádio José Alvalade during a Champions League quarter-final, a poignant tribute from the French club, remains fresh in his mind.
Prince himself had his own football journey.
His was a journey in the lower leagues where he turned out for local sides like Starbill, Air Zimbabwe and Beta XI.
Their father, Onias, ran an academy in Harare, nurturing all four sons: Prosper, Prince, Pardon, and Tino—into the game.
Prosper ‘Boss Pulo’ Kadewere, now chair of the Kadewere Foundation, vows to uphold Prince’s vision.
“His love to see football thriving keeps fueling us in all our endeavours,” he says.
He died as just a prince, but his family has crowned him King.
