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Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
MANY a times foundations are established when a person has died to promote their good works, something United Kingdom-based former Black Mambas winger Dumisani ‘Zifa’ Ndlovu wants to change.
Ndlovu is the brains behind the Dumisani Foundation, a charity organisation which seeks to make a difference in young people’s lives through education, sport and arts. Since it was launched in the country in 2015, Dumisani Foundation have held soccer tournaments for aspiring footballers from Gifford, Mtshabezi, Milton and Entumbane.
Last Tuesday saw the holding of the final tournament this year at Milton High School. Mtshabezi defeated Milton 5-4 on penalties after the match had ended 0-0 in normal time. Gifford, winners of the tournament in 2015 and 2016 took third spot in a round robin which involved Entumbane and Donkwe-Donkwe. Dlamini of Tsholotsho, who were meant to be part of the round robin to determine the third placed school, did not turn up.
In what had been meant to be first for the tournament, Mtshabezi girls were supposed to take on their Entumbane counterparts but the match did not materialise since the Bulawayo school did not bring their team. In the end, Mtshabezi ended up playing a select side made up wives of some of the sponsors of the event. Another exhibition match saw friends of Ndlovu who are based overseas take on locally based old timers with a 2-0 victory for those domiciled in Zimbabwe.
Ndlovu expressed his gratefulness to headmasters of the schools which take part in the tournament for providing the structure for him to fulfill his wishes. Most of the headmasters were present last Tuesday. He is convinced that the tournament will grow even bigger next year as shown by the response this year.
“Usually, a foundation is established when someone has passed on but I decided that I want to make a difference while I am still alive. It seems every year we are gaining momentum, I believe there is strength in numbers,’’ said Ndlovu.
All the teams which participated in the tournament, even the ones which did not pitch up got playing uniforms sourced from the UK by Ndlovu.
Trophies as well as medals given out on the day were donated by Ezimtech, a company owned by Nkosinathi Zvimba, a Zimbabwean based in the UK as well as from Souvlaki Restaurant and Bar, run by another local based in England, Nkosiyazi Maphenduka and his partner Elena Demetriou.
Guest of honour at the final tournament, acting Bulawayo deputy provincial educational director secondary and non-formal education Thabani Sibanda commended Dumisani Foundation for complementing Government efforts by having the tournament involving four provinces. He encouraged the organisers to cast the net wider next year by involving more schools.
“The importance of sport has a positive effect on the studies of the child. It builds character, tolerance, team work so it is important for us even at schools to promote sport. With our updated curriculum, physical education and sports have become compulsory subjects right from form one. As a ministry, we will always support all your endevours to promote sport in our schools,’’ said Sibanda.
Ndlovu, a University of Zimbabwe trained UK based English teacher Ndlovu learnt at Gifford as well as Mtshabezi and went on to teach at Entumbane for four years prior to heading off to UK in 2000.
While Ndlovu spends the bulk of the time in the UK, locally based volunteers of the Foundation, Arthur Mpuli, Gibson Mpala and Juliet Magwali ensure that the tournament runs efficiently.
The massive turnout at this year’s tournament and the enthusiasm shown by the youngsters who took part should be enough inspiration for Ndlovu to continue with his charitable work in Zimbabwe. — @Mdawini_29
Bongani Ndlovu