Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube
THE Chamber of Mines Track and Field Championships, once a thrilling mix of athletics, track cycling and tug-of-war, were Zimbabwe’s very own Olympics.
Held every July, the Games marked the end of the domestic athletics calendar and often served as a final send off for athletes heading to international competitions.
Last staged two decades ago, their disappearance has severely impacted the development of athletics in mining towns, crippling enthusiasm and shrinking the talent pool. Without the event, most mines saw no reason to keep funding athletics. It had been the cornerstone of their sporting calendar, a chance for executives to watch, compete for bragging rights and scout talent.
The event ran on a unique retain promote relegate system, with top tier, medium, and small-scale registered mines all involved. More than 2 500 athletes and over 200 mine bosses would gather at the host mine, which would buzz with activity. Local economies got a major lift, from formal businesses to informal traders, making the hosting rotation a highly anticipated five-year cycle.
Heavyweights like Hwange, Shabanie, Peak Mine, Gaths Mine and the iron and steel giants Zisco all took turns.
Legendary sprinter Temba Ncube, who made his name in these Games, says their absence has left a massive void.
“The Chamber of Mines was the backbone of Zimbabwean sport. The best athletes back then were coming from mines. It also gave employment to male athletes,” said Ncube.
From those dusty tracks emerged greats like Adon Treva, Charles Mafika, Vuyani Fulunga, Partson Muderedzi, Charles Gumbura, Artwell Mandaza, Chris Mutakanyi, Dera Magodo, Boniface Magodo, Savieri Ngidhi, Robson Murombe, Julius and Jeffrey Masvanhise, Juma Phiri, Zephaniah Ncube, Thethelani Moyo, Jacob Ndiweni, Tapfumaneyi Jonga, Gabriel Chikomo and Musaope Phiri, some of the finest names in local athletics over the past 70 years.
They brought pride to their communities. In return, the mines gave them stable jobs, helped them support families and opened doors for their relatives to secure non-sporting employment, helping many escape poverty.
Ncube believes the Games can be revived and should be, as the sport tries to rebound through schools, academies and the few surviving clubs. He points to the current rise of Zimbabwean sprinters abroad, Makanakaishe Charamba, David Nyampfurira, Tapiwanashe Makarawu, Vimbai Maisvoreva, and Ashley Miller, as proof that local talent still thrives.
He speaks passionately about mine based sport.
“Recreation in the mines was always anchored on sport. That’s where many people got their start, often leading to full time jobs.”
While their development programmes weren’t always formal, they worked. Mines helped nurture talent well beyond track events, and Zimbabwean football benefited immensely. Clubs like Hwange (Wankie), Mangula (Mhangura), Zisco (Risco), Gaths Mine, Peak Mine, Cam and Motor, Fredda, Blanket, Banket, How Mine, Redwing, Gwayi River Mine, Patchway and Zimasco fielded teams in Area Zones, the Rhodesia National Football League and later Zifa leagues after Independence.
Ncube believes a partnership between the Ministry of Mines and the Chamber of Mines could bring the Games back.
“It’s achievable. They can join hands. We’ve got so many mines across districts now. We could start small, at district level, move to provinces and go national,” he said.
The Games weren’t just about competition. They created bonds, families, friendships, even marriages across mining communities.
For Ncube, the crowning moment was winning gold in the 4x400m relay at the 2004 African Championships in Congo-Brazzaville, where he also made the 400m semi-finals.
Born on 23 November 1977 at Makwika Clinic in Hwange Town, Ncube grew up in Dinde Village, attending the local primary school, also the alma mater of Warriors captain Marvelous Nakamba.
He took to athletics early and quickly stood out, regularly crowned Athlete of the Year at Dinde Primary.
For secondary school, he attended Gebhuza and later Wankie Secondary School, excelling in track.
“My mother, Ester Mbali Nekatambe and my teachers, especially Mr N Kwame at Wankie Secondary, were very influential,” said Ncube.
“My coaches, the late Phineas Ajida and John Nkonde, helped me move up a level. But it was Paul Chapita who drilled me into who I became on the track. My wife, Florence Ncube, also supported me throughout,” he added.
He credits the late Prize Ndlovu (Hwange sports officer), Ajida, and former Hwange athlete Eugene Nyathi for persuading him to join Wankie Athletics Club in 1994 while in Form Three.
“I was born an athlete. All I needed was an organised platform to take things higher.”
His first major race came at Shurugwi’s Peak Stadium, where he finished second, instantly marking him as one to watch.
“That performance gave me belief. I was happy and my team was too. It pushed me to keep going.”
He went on to compete against the best, Elliot Mujaji, Phillip Mukomana, Jeffrey Wilson, the Masvanhise brothers, Godwin Tauya and Samson Dube and soon became a regular in Zimbabwe’s national team.
“When I look back, I have no regrets. I’m proud of what I achieved in athletics.”
Eventually, Ncube was hired full time by Hwange Colliery Limited as a sports officer.
Career Highlights, Temba Ncube
100m: 10.30s
200m: 20.70s
400m: 45.95s
4x100m: Chamber of Mines record holder
4x400m: Chamber of Mines record holder
International Competitions:
1996 World Junior Championships, Sydney, Australia
1999 World Championships, Sevilla, Spain
1999 All Africa Games, South Africa
2003 All Africa Games, Abuja, Nigeria
2003 Afro Asian Games, India
2004 African Championships, Congo Brazzaville
2005 World Championships, Helsinki, Finland
