Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
JOE RUGWETE’s administrative credentials continue to be recognised by the international sporting world, with the Zimbabwe National Karate Federation leader securing a top continental post.
Rugwete has been elected to the position of president of the Union of African Karate Federations (UFAK) southern region and hopes to use his new post to improve Zimbabwe’s standing both in the region and on the continent.
This follows the elections held by the Africa Karate Federation executive committee at the UFAK Regional South Congress in Durban, South Africa, last weekend.
As has become the norm, the congress was held on the sidelines of the UFAK Region South Karate 2025 Championships, where Zimbabwe placed fourth on the log standings after accumulating three gold medals, two silver, and 14 bronze.
South Africa came in as a last-minute venue after original hosts Botswana withdrew from staging the event.
The South African team made full use of home advantage to finish in pole position with 155 medals, which included 56 gold, 43 silver and 56 bronze medals.
Botswana, however, remain in contention to host the 2026 event and in the 2025 edition, they finished second with 42 medals (12 gold, 12 silver and 18 bronze), while Angola were third with 19 medals.
Namibia (39), Zambia (6) and Mozambique (6) wrapped up the final standings.
There was more to celebrate for Team Zimbabwe following Rugwete’s election.
“It is an extreme honour and I am happy to have been nominated, first of all, and elected as the new president of the UFAK South,” said Rugwete.
“I indeed attended the congress and championships, and both were very successful events.
“I view this as an endorsement of the work that has been put in and as a show of confidence from the region.
“It is truly a proud moment for me, as it is every sports-person’s dream to put their country on the regional, continental and international map,” he said. According to the election results, Rugwete is set to be deputised by Giliano Dos Santos Andre, from Angola, while the trio of Mozambicans Aurelio Mazias and Reinaldo Tholecy and Cornelius D’Alton (Namibia) will serve as general secretary, vice general secretary, and treasurer respectively.
The ZNKF leader said continuation will be key for him.
He has already previously served on the regional board as the vice president.
In fact, it was only at the last congress, also held in Durban back in 2022, that he was elected as vice president.
“The duties will remain the same.
“It will be just a continuation of the work we had already been doing at regional level, and that is ensuring that there are steady and fast improvements of the sport in Southern Africa.
“We are mandated with making sure all the regional countries hold the required number of events, that there are steady and updated improvements in coaching, refereeing and increased participation of the sport.
“Time will not be an issue with the other posts I hold as we have Zoom meetings regularly, a WhatsApp group for frequent updates and other online platforms for monitoring progress,” he said.
He noted that Zimbabwe would also benefit from his new position.
“Benefits for Zimbabwe? Yes, most definitely.
“It is common practice for there to be a slight bias towards one’s own country.
“We have already seen the benefits of our own President being the SADC chair, I hope to take a leaf from that and help elevate the country’s standing both in the region and continent,” he said.
