Mberi donates sportswear to former school

Sports Correspondent
UNITED Kingdom-based Mutare Boys’ High School old boy and former Sables and Cheetahs star-winger, Augustine Mberi donated sportswear to his old school recently during the school’s Speech and Prize Giving Day.

Mberi who was affectionately known as Gus during his rugby heydays for the 15s and sevens national squad donated rugby, soccer, volleyball and basketball kits to his old school.

Mberi attended school at Mutare Boys’ High School from 1986 to 1989, which was where he set off his prolific rugby career after often being selected for the Junior Sables Under-21 side.

He, however, subsequently moved to Zvishavane after being offered a job there where he played for Shabanie Mine rugby team.

His debut for the Sables was in 2000 and from thereafter he played for the national squad for four years until 2004 when he ultimately hung his boots.

During his times, Gus, was a regular try scorer known for his dexterity and pace as a versatile winger.

Mberi said he felt inspired to donate to the school as an old boy and leave his footprint.

“My main inspiration was rugby coach, George Mufute, who is also an old boy who coaches for no remuneration at the school.

There are also other old boys who have been pushing for the revival of the Old Boys Association like Julius Magodo and Owen Chidavaenzi who made me remember where I came from. I love this school because it moulded me to be the man I am today paving way for the many opportunities I had in my sporting career. This donation was the least I could do,” said Mberi.

Last year officially unveiling the Mutare Boys’ High Old Boys Association charter, one of the four first black students to enrol at the institution in 1980, Richard Chiwandire, said there was need for old boys to come back and motivate the current crop of students.

Chiwandire on Monday applauded Mberi for the donation saying it was a step in the right direction getting more old boys coming on board.

“There are many old boys in the diaspora whom we hope will follow suit like Augustine Mberi and remember the school that moulded them. Our schools need us especially these days when they get little support from Government. Old boys have a key role to play in ensuring the survival of traditions and the school itself,” said Chiwandire.