Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOR Natsiraishe Maritsa, her appointment as one of the three ambassadors to champion sustainability by World Taekwondo means there is still more that needs to be done.
The 21-year-old made headlines in 2022 when she was named one of the six gender equality advocates who received the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Women and Sport Awards 2021.
She received the IOC Women and Sport Award for Africa in recognition of her efforts, using taekwondo to empower young girls.
Delivered every year at continental and world level, the awards recognise exceptional men, women and organisations for their work in advancing gender equality on and off the field of play.
It was a historic moment for the then 18-year-old girl, based in Epworth, who founded the Vulnerable Under-aged People’s Auditorium (VUPA), using sport to empower young girls in her community, to fight child marriages and early pregnancy.
Three years down the line, Maritsa find herself taking a lead at the global stage again, after she was recently appointed ambassador for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Community by World Taekwondo.
“I think it means there’s still more that needs to be done. I can’t actually say for me it’s something that I always thought I was going to be. But it’s a sign that there’s still more that needs to be done,” says Maritsa.
“It means that the challenges that we are facing here in Zimbabwe are not just here, but they are actually worldwide challenges in terms of sustainability, equity and accessibility.
“And I was actually honoured because I never dreamt that one day I would become the world ambassador for World Taekwondo. But now here I am and actually it’s something that I will live to tell.”
In appointing Maritsa World Taekwondo noted; that “At just 21, Maritsa has already made a lasting impact through taekwondo.
She founded the VUPA, using sport to empower young girls in her community to stand up against child marriage and gender inequality.
“Her efforts were recognised with the IOC Women and Sport Award for Africa. As a WT Ambassador, Natsiraishe will bring this experience to a global stage, championing inclusive leadership and access to sport.”
She admits, at first, she was confused and didn’t know what to expect with the new role.
But after attending a workshop, laying out what is expected of her as she assumes the new role for the next four years, Maritsa is looking forward to the task and spreading her wings.
“I was actually confused, because I didn’t know what it meant at that time.
“I didn’t know the responsibilities. I didn’t know why I was appointed because there are thousands of young people out there who do taekwondo, who are doing the same work that I do.
“And I thought it was a very small task. But when I actually got to know it, I realised that this was a big thing.
“Honestly, I am so excited. I am honoured and I can’t wait to embark on this journey because it seems like a very long journey for me,” she says.
Some of the duties and responsibilities include spearheading educational programmes, campaigns, sharing information and also to hold seminars to empower young people.
“Mainly it’s all about empowering young people, sharing the messages. And working with communities, mainly.
“So, I think every year I have to travel twice for international games. But whenever we hold taekwondo tournaments here in Zimbabwe, I am also supposed to be part of those tournaments in order for me to get an opportunity to educate young people on issues related to sustainability and inclusion.”
Maritsa remains grounded and pushing for what she believes in. And continues to make a difference in her community.
She believes her experiences with the initiatives she has been carrying out in her community under VUPA have prepared her for the new role and with the support of her family, she can make an impact.
“It actually has made me more focused. And every time I face a challenge, I always go back to the why part. Because if I don’t go back to the why I am doing all this, then I know I am definitely going to fall.
“You know, when this news came, I wasn’t really prepared for this. When we attended the workshop where they were explaining what it actually is, what it was we are supposed to do, and all those kind of things, I realised that this was a huge task,” said Maritsa.
She is currently working with 38 students for the taekwondo sessions and also established clubs in different schools in her community.
“I have about 38 students who are actually coming for sessions on a daily basis. I have also initiated six clubs in Epworth that are in schools, they are actually school clubs.
“They are not part of the group that I train on a daily basis, but these are initiated groups that I have.
“The goal is still the same, empowering the young girls. I don’t think I will ever change.
“Maybe I will choose something different, but I will always have the same goal because this hasn’t ended yet. It’s still a cancer in the world.
“So, I can’t just stop now. It’s actually time for me to spread my wings because what I understand is this problem of early marriages and pregnancies is not only affecting Epworth but it’s actually a nationwide problem, a worldwide problem.”
Maritsa founded VUPA in 2019, after losing close friends, relatives and classmates to child marriages and early pregnancy.
Taekwondo became a tool to put across a message she hoped, and still hopes will make a difference in her community.
The other two ambassadors are Paralympics silver medallist Beth Munro from Great Britain, appointed ambassador for Health and Well-being and Kenya’s Faith Ogallo, an accomplished African Games and African Championships medallist, who was appointed ambassador for Environmental Sustainability.
