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make-shift weights at their backyards.
And one man who felt the brunt of racial segregation at the gyms was Dhaya Lalabhai, who was born in what is now Mbare, some 82 years ago.
Lalabhai, a businessman of Asian origin, said his passion for body-building saw him getting into trouble at times as the establishment believed his promotion of weightlifting and body-building among the blacks was subversive. “There were few gyms before independence and those few centres only allowed whites. Asians, Africans and coloureds were not allowed to train in the gyms.
“I also remember staging a demonstration at Les Brown Swimming Pool because non-whites were being barred from entering the pool at the same time with whites,” said Lalabhai.
Lalabhai later moved to what is now Ridgeview and helped to set up Sunrise Sports Club, but his passion for body-building, especially among the blacks in Mbare, remained. “In the 1960s I purchased this shop — Mensons for Men — along Manica Road (Robert Mugabe) from a white man and then one day a very strong guy came around to do some shopping.
“Since the shop dealt with men’s wear, I asked him where he worked out and he told me that he worked at a gym at Stoddard in Mbare. I was interested in the gyms, since I was born in Mbare. The guy’s name was Patrick and soon he told me that people usually come to the gym to lift weights.
“We then decided to promote a competition for the strongest man in Harare then and I believe that was the beginning of what is now the Mr Zimbabwe or Iron Man,” said Lalabhai.
Because of the prizes offered by Lalabhai and the floating trophy, a number of men took up body-building around the townships.
“There were no proper gyms for non-whites and I know people used to lift bricks and any weights they could get their hands on.
“Soon people began to compete in Highfield, Mabvuku, Mufakose and Harare (Mbare) and the winners from these competitions could come to the Mr Harare show,” said Lalabhai.
During the height of the liberation struggle, Lalabhai said the authorities were skeptical of strong black people.
“It was difficult for me to be seen around the township after curfews. We had to seek clearance when holding the body-building competitions at night. I was the sole sponsor of the contests and we used to have over 50 people entering. This guy Patrick used to help some of the athletes but the majority lacked proper training.
“But I liked the passion from the athletes and every time they gave their best at the shows. To me that was the beginning of what we now call the Mr Zimbabwe or Iron Man show,” he said.
Some of the legendary athletes like George Takundwa and Elvis Chibhamu went on to become household names in the sport despite limited access to training and gyms during the times. In 1967, an American athlete who had competed at the renowned Mr Universe was a guest poser at the Mbare event.
“In 1975 my young brother continued sponsoring the events while I focused on expanding the family business but up to now I am a fitness fanatic. At 82, I am still strong and my diet is strictly vegetarian and I am a teetotaller. My training regime is based on yoga and I take a walk every day, just like what President (Robert) Mugabe says,” said Lalabhai.
Online Reporter