Chronicle Editor
“I am so happy that you organised this gathering for me, thank you so much,” these were the words of former Rusape United midfielder Patrobes Mugadza in Nguboyenja last Sunday.
Mugadza’s children who included actor Simba, Patrobes Jnr and former footballers Lovejoy, Abedi and Rosemary organised the 90th birthday party for him. It was a unique gathering and it drew some senior citizens from Nguboyenja and others who hail from Rusape in Manicaland Province.
It gave an insight into yesteryear football. Some familiar surnames like Mukahanana, Mutasa, Makadzange, Mudyambanje and many more were in attendance some originating from Rusape and having associated with Zimbabwe Saints.
Born in Rusape on 2 February 1933, Mugadza attended the local school and briefly taught afterwards before finding a job in Hwange (then Wankie). He was employed by Wankie Colliery Company as a compound clerk at Lwendulu Village.
With the mine providing bare entertainment like bioscope, beer hall and a football pitch all within a 100m radius of each other, Mugadza found himself turning to soccer and played with locals to while away time.
He then moved to Bulawayo around 1956-57 where he joined Rusape United. In Bulawayo he joined Glens Removals where he worked as a driver during the war covering Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries. In a chat during the week Mugadza said teams during those days tended to be formed on rural home ties.
“We were guys from Rusape, there were teams from Gaza (Chipinge), Mutambara Brothers, Charter (Chivu), we played in the Bulawayo African Football Association (Bafa). I was a midfielder and the big players of that time were Matthew ‘303’ Marume and Dusty King,” said Mugadza.
He remembers former Saints coach Howard Maviza from their playing days too. Because of his advanced age, Mugadza does not recall much of yesteryear football. However, he says when he hung up his boots he concentrated on Zimbabwe Saints.
He has supported the club from the 1950s and was at one stage among the top sponsors of Zimbabwe Saints. He provided his vehicles to the club among them a Morris minibus which is parked at his Nguboyenja home.
“I loved Saints, I have supported them for a long time. I used to provide them with transport and cash for the club to survive. I saw players like William Sibanda, Gibson Homela, Emmanuel Sibanda and Adam Maseko grow,” said Mugadza.
Lovejoy gave a history of the family from when their great, great grandparents moved from the Great Lakes Region to the Rusape area to the present day.
“We are gathered here today to celebrate Baba. Many have been wondering where the sporting genes came from, it is from our father. We never watched him play but we hear he was a good midfielder in his days,” said Lovejoy.
He said growing up in the family, they had a very supportive dad who allowed them to follow their passions and hence Brian (late), Charles, Abedi, Rosemary and himself played football.
Brian played for the national Under-17 side and AmaZulu, Abedi was part of the Bulawayo team that featured Peter Ndlovu at the Aberdeen Festival in 1990, Charles played for Glens and was among the chief drivers of the Bulawayo Social Soccer League in the 1980s with Chris Mhlanga, Chris Somo and Scotch Takawira.
Rosemary was among the founding players of Zimbabwe Saints Queens, he had a stint with Highlanders Royals and enjoyed a trophy laden spell with New Orleans going all the way to captain the Mighty Warriors.
She also coached the national women’s team and is now in charge of the Under-20s.
Rosemary is part of the Harare City FC technical team. Lovejoy played for Highlanders, Black Mambas and Zimbabwe Saints.
“It was only fair that we took to football, the whole family and neighbourhood was about football. We used to hear a lot about yesteryear stars from Baba and that made us love Zimbabwe Saints and the game. The bus that is parked outside used to carry the players. We saw them at home, we travelled with them and as youngsters it was inspiring because the likes of Homela and William Sibanda were big names,” said Lovejoy.
Many speakers praised Mugadza for his benevolence and for being a community builder in the city and family. They commended his children for organising the party and honouring him while he still lives. -@lovdube
Online Reporter