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Veronica Gwaze
WHEN coach Sibonginkosi Dube offered Upenyu Kelly Muyambo a chance to play for Green Fuel Netball Club, she did not realise that she had, in fact, given a new lease of life to an entire family.
All of this was on Muyambo’s mind last weekend as she made her way to the stage for the Players’ Player of the Year award at a lavish awards ceremony hosted at a hotel in Harare.
Ironically, it is barely two years since she burst onto the Premier Netball League (PNL) scene, yet she has already made a name for herself.
Muyambo, who hails from Ziyamuchiya village in Checheche, lost her father in 2020.
Thereafter, life took a downward spiral for the family as they would struggle to place a decent meal on the table.
It is only after Muyambo became part of the “Girls Dze Nharo” team that she was able to rescue her family from poverty.
“When my name was called out, my mom came to mind first,” she said, fighting back tears.
“I do not want my mother to be stressed or to miss our late father, so whenever I step onto the court, I tell myself that I need to do it for her.
“I dedicate the award to her. I thank coach Bongi for rescuing my family.”
The 21-year-old Muyambo started playing netball in 2013, during her days at Zamchiya Primary School.
Her class teacher forced her to take up the sport because of her height.
Although she showed some potential and transformed into a vital cog in the school team, she had no passion for the game.
She then went to Rimbi Secondary School and found out that her class teacher had already spotted her during primary school days and forced her back onto the netball court.
“I had to play but my heart was not entirely into it. In no time, I became a regular in the first seven of the school team,” she said.
After managing only three Ordinary Level passes, Muyambo found herself playing netball as a pastime, while she tried to work on her next move in life.
She joined Ratings, a Checheche-based Division One club.
“While I was there, Green Fuel conducted trials for their top-flight team and I decided to try it out,” she said.
“It was not because I was confident of my play, but that my teammates were also doing it. I did not want to be left out.”
Much to her surprise, she made the cut.
However, Muyambo found it difficult to fit into her new “home”.
Growing up in Checheche, a dry area with sparse vegetation and little recreational activities, she felt her life was confined to the village.
“The first days were tough, even in training. Judging myself on the basis of where I come from, I felt out of place.
“On court, however, I was converted from a shooter to a defender and to my surprise, it was easy.
“Although I did not have faith in myself, I would be surprised after the game as fans showered praises on me. This motivated me to work even harder.
“It is then that I became the breadwinner.
“I pay school fees for my two siblings and provide my mother with her needs, so netball is more than just a game for me.”
She was one of the rookies for the national team, when she recently made her debut for the Gems at the African Championships in Botswana.
Zimbabwe were bronze medallists behind winners Zambia and Namibia.
Since then, local clubs are reportedly scrambling for her signature.
However, the rising star said she has no intentions of leaving Green Fuel, a club that gave her a life.
“These guys transformed my life, they moulded me into a professional player. I am still work in progress and do not wish to disrupt that by changing clubs.
“The help I get from my coaches is immense. Now that things look better, I don’t want to disappoint them.
“Featuring in the Gems fold was a dream come true for me and I am working hard to secure yet another dance with the world’s best,” she said.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter