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Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
HE has been pumping iron for the past 37 years and he doesn’t intend to stop anytime soon.
For Masiye Suwali, bodybuilding has become a way of life.
Suwali grew up in the high-density suburb of Mufakose, which like most ghettos has its fair share of high levels of crime and other social ills.
The veteran athlete, however, credits bodybuilding for taking him away from the social vices associated with this Harare suburb.
He is now 57 and is still participating in national bodybuilding competitions, albeit in the seniors’ categories.
And the last three weeks have been hectic for Suwali.
He came sixth in the Senior Men Category at the Manicaland Open in Mutare on November 27 before he was given the People’s Choice Award at the Harare Classic Open a week later.
“I want to thank the people of Mutare for their support, they were fully behind me. That kind of support urges me on,” Suwali told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“I will keep on pumping iron until I get to 60 and I also want to promote the sport in my neighbourhood.
“Mufakose is a dangerous suburb especially for kids because of the lifestyle that is led in this area.
“So, I intend to use bodybuilding as a way of keeping these youngsters busy and away from social vices like drug abuse and street fighting.”
A former nightclub bouncer, who at one time was also part of the late Oliver Mtukudzi’s security team, Suwali feels bodybuilding has the potential to improve its popularity across the country.
He however, fears the expenses involved in the sport could be an inhibitor.
“We have a number of young boys who are coming up. They seem to like bodybuilding but my worry is that they are not registering for competitions.
“They are just pumping iron for prestige.
“The sport is also expensive, you need good food and supplements but sadly we are lacking sound sponsorship for the sport in Zimbabwe.
“Furthermore, bodybuilding helps with your health, a person who does the sport is always in shape and not at risk of contracting diseases like hypertension which are associated with unfit people.
“If you pump iron you won’t have time for other misdemeanours like drug abuse because you will be tired.
“My advice to youngsters is that they should train to keep fit and participate in competitions and not bully people in the streets.”
Suwali comes from a suburb that produced and nurtured legendary bodybuilders like Innocent Choga and the late George Takundwa.
Choga won the prestigious Mr Zimbabwe title on six occasions and is a National Federation of Zimbabwe Bodybuilding and Fitness Hall of Famer.
Takundwa won the Mr Ironman title seven times and also clinched the Mr Rhodesia title on five occasions.
He competed in the Mr Universe in South Africa in 1980 and also at the World Championships in Egypt two years later.
“I was influenced to take the sport seriously by the likes of Innocent Choga and George Takundwa.
“Mufakose was back then referred to as the ‘Home of Champions’ because of the abundant talent and national champions that came from the suburb.
“I grew up in Mufakose and the environment was full of thugs and criminals but I am glad sport took me away from all those things. Perhaps sport is the reason I have lived up to this age.
“I want to thank my mother Christina for supporting me when I was growing up. She paid for my first gym session at the popular gym along Muonde Street in Mufakose,” revealed Suwali.
Amongst his collection of awards and certificates include Mr Mufakose 1999 and first position in the Senior Men Masters Over at the IBFF Zimbabwe Classic 2016.
Suwali came third in the 2019 Zimbabwe Classic senior men category.
“I want to appreciate the support I am getting from my sponsor Robbie Muromba. My wish is to help upcoming bodybuilders especially those from poor backgrounds.”
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