Mum, truck driver & pool champ

Charity Ncube breaking barriers
Brighton Zhawi —
WHEN she arrived at the Carling Black Label National Pool finals in Gweru last month, Charity Ncube was just a woman who had come to enjoy the moment.

However, the 36-year-old Ncube, who is employed by the Kadoma City Council as a refuse truck driver, made a stunning return to the table – after a three-year hiatus – and walked away with the right to be called the best female player in Zimbabwe.

She pocketed a cool $1000 for her troubles. Ncube is yet to come to terms with the magnitude of the smash and grab stunt she pulled at the national finals.

“I can’t explain the feeling, I don’t know how it happened” she said.

“I knew I was good, but I didn’t know I was this good. Besides this was my first competition in three years. I had quit the game because of work commitments.

“When I went to Gweru I just said “go there and enjoy yourself” but things turned out beautifully. I thank God for this success, I prayed before every match because I felt I was the underdog.”

Ncube, a mother of two, was taught the game by her husband Tichaona Rushizha after the two ventured into the business of making pool tables.

“We now have five pool tables in and around Kadoma,” disclosed Ncube.

“When we started, all I was interested in was making the table and the money of course but l got hooked when I saw people enjoying the game so much.

“I decided to learn how to play in 2010 and my husband taught me and today here I am as the national championship.”

Ncube has become so good that she now challenges and beats men, including her mentor at times. Rushizha is not jealous at all. How can he be when his wife brings $1000 home after winning a pool competition?

“I feel proud of my wife. I am really happy with her success. She is a dangerous player now, she has even beaten me at times.

“There was a time she wanted to give up but I urged her to keep pushing and today I feel vindicated. My wife is the Zimbabwean pool champion,” said Rushizha.

Ncube wants more and more women to take up pool and sport in general.

“I just want to prove that women can do what men can do,” she declared.

“I drive a refuse truck, something which is seen as a man’s job by some people. I play pool, a male dominated sport, and I am good at it.

“There is nothing that can stop you if your heart is fully into it. I urge other women out there to believe in their abilities and pursue their dreams”