admin
Grace Chingoma
Senior Sports Reporter
THE body of former tennis star and coach Godwin Madzima is expected to arrive today from the United States for burial on Friday at Glen Forest Memorial Park.
Madzima passed on last month in Florida after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Since then his family has been processing documents to repatriate his body back home.
And yesterday his elder sister Joyce Tagwireyi said all is set for the burial on Friday 12pm.
“The body left the United States on Monday and will arrive tomorrow (today) aboard Emirates at 5 pm. The body will go to Nyaradzo Funeral Parlour and will then be taken home on Thursday (tomorrow) where it will lie in state at 33 Edinburgh Road, Vainona and then burial is on Friday at Glen Forest,” said Tagwireyi.
“As Madzima family we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Mufakose community.
Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, tennis fraternity, friends and relatives who have stood with us during this grieving period.
We cherish the overwhelming love and support.
May God bless them all,” said Tagwireyi.
Madzima, who was 54 years-old at the time of his death, dedicated the rest of his career as a juniors’ tennis coach in the United States. He coached several players to be top juniors in world tennis and has been a top coach at Evert Tennis Academy and Nick Baloterri.
Madzima was among the first black tennis players who emerged from the high-density suburb of Mufakose to secure a scholarship and study in the USA in 1986.
He was coached by the late Enock Abinara Mbewe, who was instrumental in Madzima’s tennis career, before he became part of the project by veteran tennis administrator Albert Nhamoyebonde.
According to his sisters, Madzima was forever grateful to his first coach Mbewe who ignited his love for tennis and made huge sacrifices for him to travel to junior tournaments. Madzima became the backbone of the Mufakose Tennis Coaching Agency, established by the veteran administrator and honorary life vice president of Tennis Zimbabwe, just after Independence to help spread tennis in the high-density suburbs. The other top players and coaches that played tennis at Mufakose Coca-Cola Junior Tennis Open at the time include Derrick Mpofu, Gift Nkomo, Daniel Monchusi, Tendayi Baleng, Gabriel Nkomo, James Murungweni, Gwinyai Zengeni, Shepherd Manyumbu, Lazarus Manjoro, Andrew Katsenga, the late Claudio Murape, Matthew Kapuya and Virgil Magorimbo.
The other top players that came from the Mufakose Agency during Madzima’s time included Peter Nyamande, Nigel Badza and Elson Marondera.
Madzima was introduced to the game of tennis by his elder sister Sthembeni Madzima Chada who was a top ladies’ player at Mufakose Tennis Club.
Madzima learnt at Oriel Boys High where he was in the school tennis team with Byron Black. He moved to the USA where he played college tennis for Cowley College. He then ventured into coaching junior players and was a director at an Academy in Florida.
This year in January, he was inducted into Cowley College Men’s Tennis Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions to Cowley College sporting activities in 1991.
Unfortunately, Madzima never got to celebrate his award as the package arrived at his home a week before his demise.
In his condolence message, veteran coach Richmore Murape said they have lost a great coaching tennis who was grooming young Zimbabweans in the US.
“He was coaching some Zimbabwean players who would come home for tournaments. We were targeting him to assist us since we have formed a group for all players who hailed from Mufakose.
“He was the backbone of Mufakose Agency. Together with Tendai Baleng, they were neighbours. Godwin was first coached by Enock, who was from Mufakose and had a huge interest in the sport.
Former Zimbabwe Davis Cup player Gwinyai Tongoona described Madzima as a gentleman.
“He was a very good player and coach. I remember hitting with him when I was 12 at the University of Zimbabwe courts. Such a gentleman as well,” said Tongoona.
Online Reporter