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A UK-based former local teacher said it felt good to be at his former school Bidi Primary in Matobo District, Matabeleland South donating sporting equipment last Friday.
Mbusi Dube, whose home is a stone’s throw from the school, challenged others to plough back to their former schools as a way of contributing towards their communities. He said rural community schools need the mere basics of anything that may contribute towards a positive social impact and help nurture hidden talents that cannot take off because of a shortage of equipment.
Dube is now working as a social worker and at one stage was an English lower division football referee.
Before he left Plumtree High School, he was a soccer referee in the lower echelons of Zimbabwe football structures. He continued with his passion and on Saturday kitted some young boys from Makokoba who are eyeing officiating when they grow up.
He also had to share some sporting equipment he brought along. The recipients in Bulawayo were Real Stars and Makokoba Academy in football.
Three basketball clubs received playing kits and these were Highlanders, Mavericks and City Towers, women’s clubs.
“It is good to be here. This is where it all started on my sporting journey. I am what I am because of this school where my love for the game of football was hatched. I would love someday to see some talent emerge from here to go on scholarships and sign professional talent.
“There were so many kids who were talented who deserved better in my time and years that followed. But there was nobody to take their talents to the next level. I will be assisting the school with equipment such as uniforms and balls and hopefully someday I will come with talent scouts and they have a look at what is here,” said Dube.
On donating a basketball kit, Dube said while at Plumtree High School he had a chance to be involved in a number of sporting disciplines, among them basketball.
“I dream of getting more support for communities back home in sports like athletics, soccer, basketball and hockey, disciplines I had a feel of while teaching in Plumtree. I wish every one of us be it a ball, bag of cement or brick to donate to schools that made us what we are. No matter how small a gift is, it always brings a smile to the receiver,” said Dube.
Dube confessed to having been impressed with the skill levels of the two teams from Makokoba that he donated to.
“I say big up to the coaches of the two teams. I saw some very young boys displaying amazing skills. Football in the city is in the right hands. More for me Makokoba is the township famed for the Ndlovu brothers Adam, Madinda, Marko and Peter. I believe more talent if we support these initiatives will emerge,” said Dube.
Mangwiro Maphosa thanked Dube for the donation and appealed for sponsorship for his project that has groomed players like Nqobizitha Masuku (Jwaneng Galaxy, Botswana) and Gillian Nyathi (Highlanders).
Dube is keen to meet referees and share ideas this week.
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