Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze in Nairobi, Kenya
WHEN Prisca Mpofu stepped onto the Kasarani netball court to make her debut in Gems colours at the just-ended World Cup qualifiers, she knew the whole of Silobela was watching.
Located about 80 kilometres north-west of Gweru, and bordering Nkayi to the west, Silobela is among the most remote areas in Midlands Province.
For most people in the Region IV area, crop farming is not viable due to semi-arid conditions characterised by low, erratic rainfall and frequent mid-season dry spells.
Here, primary school learners as young as six walk about 10 kilometres to and from school, and the community often have little to marvel at.
Somehow, they have resigned to the fact that they have nothing to look forward to and nothing good may come their way.
Yet the netball gods intervened and villagers can now afford a smile.
The Gems’ latest recruit Mpofu traces her roots to this rural community.
And when she made her debut in Zimbabwe’s 57-39 victory in the qualifiers opener against Botswana, back home in the village, kinsmen crowded around television sets.
Sadly, her family has no television and they had to walk quite a distance to watch one of their own living a dream that once felt impossible.
All Mpofu wanted was to make them proud.
For her, netball is more than a sport.
It is a game that transformed her life and changed her family’s plight.
Raised in the heart of Silobela, where opportunities are scarce and dreams often die, she found escape on the dusty, uneven community netball courts when she was still at Hebron Secondary School.
“We neither had proper bibs nor polished surfaces, and I recall how, together with my mates, would play barefoot using a worn-out ball,” reminisced Mpofu.
“All I know is that we were full of passion and even when our parents were against us playing in that dusty court, we were just unstoppable.
“As a teenage girl, her parents wanted her to focus more on school and household chores.
Daily she had to hatch a plan to go and play the game, and always had to come home to a beating.
Yet her heart remained on the court.
With every pass, dodge and split, Mpofu dribbled her way out of poverty. And it was not long before her story changed.
After school, she was snapped up by Gweru Queens where she had a short stint before moving to Beta Queens.
Here she was then spotted by Green Fuel, a Chisumbanje side where her major breakthrough came.
Mpofu rose to be a force in the domestic game with her agility, speed, fast reflexes and shots from distance.
In no time, she was snapped up by Chapungu Queens with a job in the Air Force of Zimbabwe coming as part of the package.
Barely a year later, the girl from Silobela has built a house for her parents through her earnings.
Earlier this year, she got her first call-up into the Gems development side, Zambezi Eagles, before breaking into the senior team ahead of the qualifiers.
Mpofu is one of the rising talents in the current Gems ranks.
Calm, composed and clinical, Mpofu has owned the goal attack bib with amazing ease, commanding the shooting circle with maturity beyond her international caps.
At the qualifiers, her shooting rate stood at an impressive 86%.
Whether it was a short shot under pressure, a long one from the edge of the circle, or a feed, Mpofu simply executed with composure.
Even in the dressing room, she is not vocal and appears to evade the spotlight.
But on court, her footwork, awareness and ability to hold and create space against tight man-on-man defence sends a loud message.
“I am happy so far and I have learnt a lot on this stage… I take valuable lessons back home,” she said.
“I know my family were proud to see me represent Zimbabwe and whenever I stepped on the court, I knew that I had to give it my all for the badge.
“With my earnings from the tournament, I want to purchase a television set for them so that whenever I play, they can watch from the comfort of the home I built for them.
“For Mpofu, the Gems badge carries Silobela. Her team-mates describe her as a disciplined, humble and hard-working team-mate.
Coaches say she is a good listener who learns fast and oozes potential to reach dizzy heights.
In her village, they have a glowing story about Mpofu.
When the publication had a video-call interview with her former team-mates, community members gathered around the phone to speak to Mpofu.
“She loved netball and I remember she was good during our school days, although I never thought she would go this far,” said Simelelo Khumalo.
“I was surprised to see her on TV, not sure where exactly she is playing but we grew up together and I know that through netball, she has changed her family’s fortunes.
“I never thought that a girl from this remote area would rise to these levels… may God protect her.”
