adminGrace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
HAS Denver Mukamba abandoned his family here in Harare and the old woman who raised him in Highfield, Gogo Kawinga? Is Denver’s situation the same as Togolese international forward Emmanuel Adebayor’s?
Gogo Kawinga isn’t a happy woman.
“He used to look after me very well and they even erected a pre-cast wall around this house when he was still playing for Dynamos,” she told The Saturday Herald.
“Clive (Denver’s cousin) is living with his family in Engineering trying to make ends meet. He is no longer playing for a big club and no longer earns much.
“But now I don’t know what has gotten into my boy Denver. I no longer see him to discuss what’s troubling me. I am now old with different ailments.
“I talk to him here and there. He is always changing his South African phone numbers and whenever he changes his number we have to send his cousin sister to Egypt (Highfield) to get the latest number from his friend.
“I struggle to pay bills (water and electricity) for this house and fees for my two grandchildren who are in secondary school now.
“These two girls finished their O-Level, but could not write the examinations as I couldn’t afford the examination fees.
“This morning the man who was checking the water meter asked me how Denver is doing and whether he is around for the holidays.
“But I no longer see Denver. I don’t know if it is South Africa that makes people forget where they came from.”
She said it was painful to see other players coming home to visit their families.
“We just hear other players from South Africa are here, but Denver doesn’t come home. The last time Energy Murambadoro was here and asked if Denver is around,” said Gogo Kawinga.
“We have space at this house for him and family to stay when they are around.
“I had to put a lodger recently in his room which we had reserved for him so that I can have extra money to make ends meet.
“I toiled from scratch for that boy to be where he is today. But now he has seen sunshine and forgets. He was raised through the hard work of others and now it is his turn to raise the other young kids.
“His cousin had eight units and was enrolled at Marlborough High and needs bus fare. I am now left with four grandchildren here and two of them are still going to school.
“I once spoke to his manager Mahachi (Gibson) when I felt it was too much and told him to phone Denver as we were starving and Mahachi promised to call back. He did so and some groceries were organised and brought here.
“But I can’t keep pestering the manager. It is just not proper. When I think about it, it really pains me. I suffer from high blood pressure. Denver grew up here and stayed here. He only left for Waterfalls when he met his second wife and was about to go to South Africa.”
She said Denver no longer cares for the family.
“He used to live here with his first wife and she is taking care of their child who is about three-years-old and we don’t even know if he is taking care of that child or not,” said Gogo Kawinga.
“Even if I am to die today, Denver won’t know it immediately because he is always changing phone numbers.
“When he thinks about me he will then phone briefly asking how I am doing. He just makes promises that he will come and sends some groceries here and there, but doesn’t give me any money.”
But Denver was singing a different tune yesterday from his base in Pretoria.
He said while he is taking care of his grandmother, he cannot look after everyone in the family.
“I cannot go and stay at Gogo’s place, people will start talking again. I am working very hard so that I have my own place when I return to Zimbabwe,” said Denver.
“I am taking care of Gogo, but I cannot continue to look after other grown-up people there. I am trying to earn a living and it is not like I am earning mega bucks here. People (relatives) should not give someone pressure when he is playing outside. I send groceries to Gogo.
“I know what I am doing here and I am also trying to secure a future for my family and people should not put me under a lot of pressure.
“We grew up as many grandchildren and I know as the most popular grandchild who has done well a lot would be expected from me.
“But I am now a father and should provide for my own family.
“I know Gogo doesn’t really complain, but some of my relatives who stay with Gogo are a problem and influence her. And I am sure that even when you (reporter) went there for an interview they were there and said a lot.”
Denver’s medals are proudly displayed in Gogo’s living room and she still has fond memories of the days when her grandchild was crowned the Soccer Star of the Year in 2012.
Online Reporter