Former ‘Ironman’ in Parly race

Manicaland Bureau
Former bodybuilding champion Tobias “Tubbs” Pedzayi Madzime intends to contest Zanu-PF primary elections scheduled for May 5 for the Makoni South parliamentary seat. The 44-year-old ironman, who was crowned Mr Zimbabwe in 2000, has since submitted his curriculum vitae.

The former champion, who has also won a lot of accolades in Manicaland, is the party’s secretary for administration for Ward 26 in Makoni South constituency.

His CV is among the four that were accepted out of the eight submitted during the initial vetting, which was done on Tuesday last week.

“It is true that I submitted my CV,” said Madzime. “I would like to stand in the elections for Makoni South constituency. I was told that mine was accepted.”

Madzime was formerly employed in the then Ministry of Local Government and National Housing and stationed in Mutare.
He left the civil service to work as a travel agent abroad.

He then returned to the country to pursue his bodybuilding career before relocating to South Africa, where he had a stint with the South African Police Services (SAPS).

Cde Madzime later returned to the country to start his own business, but he continues to pursue his favourite sport.
The sport enthusiast later joined ruling party structures in Makoni and rose to become secretary for administration in Ward 26.

“I am now established and I have lined up a number of activities aimed at developing the constituency that has been neglected for long,” he said. “I also think this will make history in Zimbabwe’s sports, as I am likely to become the first sportsperson to land a legislative position, especially in Manicaland, if elected.”

CVs for aspiring candidates have been submitted to the provincial leadership for further vetting.
They will then be taken to the national leadership, where further vetting will be done before a final list of those standing during the May 5 primary elections is announced.

Zanu-PF leaders in Manicaland have called on the party to select candidates who have support at grassroots level and shun the imposition of candidates.