Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER Zimbabwe Sables and Cheetahs star Tafadzwa Chitokwindo says rugby will always flow in his veins as he spends most of his free time coaching an academy in Stuttgart, Germany where he is based.
The man, who was aptly nicknamed “MaRubber” due to his super speed was forced into early retirement after suffering an injury.
The former Rhodes University utility made world headlines after signing for Rugby-Bundesliga side TV Pforzheim where he managed to establish himself despite some social difficulties, including racism.
A holder of a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Economics and Management, Chitokwindo now works for Global Information Technology Company in Stuttgart.
But that hasn’t shed off his passion for rugby with the former Zimbabwe wing saying, “Rugby is in me and I don’t think I can be able to live without it. I am based in Germany where I am working for a Global IT Company.
“But I always make sure that I do involve myself in rugby every time I am free. My joy comes from seeing youngsters developing into good players in a game that gave me fame and a life.”
Chitokwindo was back in the country during the festive season break and took time to wed his long-time sweet-heart Jenny Mashegera at a glitzy ceremony in Bulawayo.
The venue of the wedding was packed with socialites and the rugby family as they celebrated one of the most famous stars to emerge from the domestic game.
Speaking about the wedding, Chitokwindo said, “It’s a daunting feeling (getting married). It’s like new waters, something I have never done before.
“There is always this fear of the unknown. But at the same time, I am very excited to get someone who is so lovely and caring in my life.
“She quite understands me and I am sure she will support all the rugby vision that I carry.
“I have known just sport all my life and this is the new life that I am entering into. I am really very happy.”
The 35-year-old first made his name in 2008 when he was selected for the Coca-Cola Craven Week team in South Africa when he was still a student at Kyle College where he was a specialist in 100m and 200m sprints as well as 110m hurdles, long and triple jump.
Two years later, he was in the Young Sables squad that participated in the IRB Junior World Cup held in Russia.
He never looked back from then as he went on to star for both the Sables and Cheetahs.
“Yea, it was a good feeling getting to be noticed when I was still a teenager. I thank everyone involved in my rugby journey.
“It wasn’t easy but once I got that first call-up for the Craven Week, everything just started to open up,” added Chitokwindo.
He also made his National Rugby League debut with local club giants Old Hararians in 2010 where he was voted the NRL Rookie of The Year, before making his senior debut for The Sables against Kenya Rugby in the Victoria Cup later that year.
He capped off a great year with his Zimbabwe 7’s Cheetahs debut at the Dubai Sevens.
One of his crowning moments came when he was named Player of the Tournament at the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series qualifiers in Hong Kong in 2016.
