Luya’s netball journey from hell to bliss

Veronica Gwaze-Sports Reporter

During her days at Shingirai Primary and Mbare High School, Anifa Luya was a Volleyball, Netball and football star who seemed poised for greater heights.

No one would ever imagine that at just 16, she would be a Form-Two school dropout, mother and living with an older, unemployed husband.

Living at a family home in Mbare, the union was agonizing as the young Luya found it difficult to balance parenting, being a daughter-in-law and enduring an abusive man.

For two long years, she found herself trapped in a cycle of abuse and unimaginable torture as, on several occasions, her husband denied her decent food and clothing.

Using the family’s sitting room as her bedroom, her days had to start before sunrise and end late in the night.
She was made to work under harsh conditions and would be beaten whenever she objected.

“It was the most difficult time of my life which I always try to forget about,” recounted Luya, now 21.

“We dated for a short time, I was young and barely understood what was really going on and just like that, I discovered that I was already pregnant so I eloped.

“I was not aware that I had just gotten myself into deep trouble, the man was abusive and never provided for me and the baby, his parents sometimes had to step in…it was a tough phase.”

As a result of the abuse, Luya lost confidence and on countless occasions contemplated committing suicide.

One day, in 2021, she found the resolve to occasionally unwind from the chains of her abusive marriage.

A friend, who understood her plight introduced her to social netball where apart from getting psychological therapy, she would also earn a few dollars for her and the baby’s upkeep.

However, her husband and in-laws would not have it.

Each time Luya went out to play, she would be reprimanded until one day she hatched an escape plan and left.

She recalls begging her widowed mother for forgiveness and to be allowed to return home.
With depression written all over her daughter’s face, the mother took her back.

To keep herself busy, Luya continued playing social netball despite earning little.

As fate would have it, one day, while playing a social game, she was spotted by Nomatter Changata who captained Super League side Netball Harare City.

“She introduced me to a then division one side, Stormers Netball Queens. Tere was no salary, but it reignited my passion and hope so all I needed to showcase talent,” she said.

In no time Luya rose to be one of the most trusted players who helped the Budiriro-based side earn promotion into the  topflight league in 2023.

Fast forward to 2024, Luya was snapped by Rainbow Netball League side, Flow Angels.

Currently she tops the Player of Match race with nine recognitions in 18 matches.

The quartet of Glow Petroleum’s Predence Sibanda, Ashley Jones (FilChrist), Slonia and Amkela Phiri of Golden Valley sit in second position with six recognitions each.

Luya feels that netball helped her recover from the trauma of abusive marriage.

“It feels good to lead the race, I am determined to work harder and also provide for my child because the father does not assist,” she said.

“This has not been an easy road, the community labels you as a bad apple and that can potentially harm you so instead of seeing myself as a pariah I vented on the netball court.

“The stereotypes are too much but I am happy I conquered and I am open to emotionally and psychologically assisting others who are in a similar predicament.”

Changata recalls spotting a lean Luya while playing with her mates in Mbare while coming from her training sessions.
From their initial conversation, she noted that Luya was heartbroken and visibly traumatised.

“The version of Luya that I saw that day still triggers painful memories in my heart and I am happy netball helped her recover,” said Changata, who now plays for Harare District.

“I wish we could just embark on programmes to identify and rescue girls who are in similar situations.”

Now Luya has a support group where she helps young women and girls who find themselves in circumstances similar to hers.

The support group now has 42 victims and survivors who assist each other with emotional support.

With her netball earnings, Luya is now a breadwinner at her parents’ home while she also helps some of the support group members who are in dire need.

Her wish, she said is to also partner Rehabilitation Centres and play a role in the fight against Drug and Substance Abuse.