Darts star Mbwera shines

Fungai Munyoro
DARTS star Happy Mbwera, one of the most respected and admired sportspersons in Manicaland, has taken the world of darts by storm, which saw him representing the province at various competitions. Mbwera was born 54 years ago in Manicaland and turned professional in 1990. After years of hard work and dedication, Mbwera’s efforts are paying dividends as he is now rated the top player in the province and 9th in the country. Mbwera started his career in 1990 when he played for ZRP Whistlers a Mutare-based outfit and it was in the same year that he was selected to represent the province as well as the nation.

In 1991, he had the privilege to represent Zimbabwe in the World Cup darts competition in Netherlands alongside the late Midlands star, Steve Ngwenya, who was rated the country’s top player.

‘’I was extremely thrilled as it was my first time to fly in an aeroplane and the darts team that time was dominated by whites. I was among the few blacks in the team. Some of the players I played alongside were the late Eddy Symonds, Bona Brown and Benny Noddy. Our team did not do well in the Netherlands and we were knocked out in infantry stages,” said the Penhalonga-based star.

Mbwera has won several awards in this indoor sport.
‘’In 1990, I took part in a competition held in Rusape which was being sponsored by a renowned businessman, Evans Chidavanyika, and I won the competition’’ said the soft-spoken Mbwera.

The reverend player partnered with the late Kennedy Masaiti in the men’s doubles and scooped the same competition. Four years later they won the Commissioner’s Cup as a team.

In 1995 he was crowned the Manicaland champion in the singles and since that time he is Manicaland’s top player.
Mbwera who has been playing darts for a period spinning more than 20 years has nothing to show for his achievements in this minority game, but is optimistic that one day darts will become much more popular than soccer thereby catapulting him to greatness.

Apart from Darts, Mbwera is a family man who spends most of his time at home with his family.
Mbwera is married to Shirley Mbwera and the two are blessed with four children, three girls and a boy.