Sundaymail Editor
Veronica Gwaze
FOR the past year, the loss of her close friend Ledwin Dondo has heavily weighed on Zimbabwe Netball Association (ZINA) president Leticia Chipandu.
Until recently, she avoided speaking about the demise of her confidante, who succumbed to pancreatitis on May 8 last year.
And this had taken a toll on her mind and body. “It makes me sad just to think she is gone,” said Chipandu.
“It still feels like everything happened yesterday. We met when I was still young and vulnerable, as I had just lost my husband in 1994. I enrolled for netball umpiring and coaching, and she was one of the trainers. We instantly hit it off.”
She recalls how she saw a mentor in Dondo right from the outset and would frequent her training base in St Mary’s, Chitungwiza, just to chat. The two would share their love of the game. During those days, Dondo also coached St Mary’s Netball Club, and, coincidentally, she was the one who first noticed Chipandu’s leadership qualities and pushed her to do something about it.
“I do not know what she saw in me and I could never picture myself in a position of leadership considering what I was going through at the time. However, the netball gods smiled on me.”
This heralded the beginning of her journey to the helm of netball leadership as the league fixtures’ secretary. Her duties involved coming up with weekly fixtures. Dondo was always by her side through it all, and when she became ZINA president, she entrusted Chipandu with the association’s assignments. “I learnt so much from her as she patiently groomed and mentored me. “She was accommodating and would take anyone and everyone through the paces.” One of her most cherished memories was at the 2015 African Championships in Botswana, where the Gems won gold with Dondo as the technical advisor.
“The jubilation and satisfaction that we had in that moment was just extraordinary,” she said.
“In 2017, when we also won gold in Hong Kong with her as the coach and team manager. I remember her face just lit up.
“She looked at me and said, ‘I told you we could do it.’
“Mkoma Dondo, or King as we called her in netball circles, was a very optimistic person.
“Everything and anything was possible with her and there was nothing too small or big for her.
“We lost a pillar of the game.”
With the Gems expected to open their Confederation of Southern Africa National Associations (COSANA) Tri-Nations’ campaign in Malawi today, Dondo’s absence is likely to be felt more than ever.
The Young Gems, another passion of the late Dondo, will also be part of the tournament, which runs until June 16.
Gems begin their campaign with a clash against the hosts, while Young Gems take on Namibia.
Next month, the Gems are expected to take part in the Manchester Invitational Tournament, where they will clash with Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and some top university teams.
Both tournaments are part of preparations for the 2023 World Netball Cup Qualifiers slated for Pretoria, South Africa, in August.
“It’s times like these I tend to think of her (Dondo) a lot,” explained Chipandu.
“She was a mother, teacher, counsellor and everything to me and the girls.
“You know, sometimes when you travel long distances, financial constraints can take a toll.
“She was always there for advice.
“Dondo was also a prayerful woman and made us believe that anything was possible with God.”
Senior Team
Claris Kwaramba (Captain) Priscilla Ndlovu, Progress Moyo, Chipo Shoko, Sharleen Makusha (Platinum Queens) Cynthia Gamuchirai (Mambas), Tafadzwa Mawango (Correctional Queens), Ursula Ndlovu, Paidamoyo Tinoza, Beulah Hlongwane (Glow Petroleum), Tafadzwa Matura (ZDF), Nicole Muzanenhamo (Green Fuel)
Under-19
Vimbai Chibi (captain), Esther Kasiku, Beyonce Ndaradzi, Queen Mubaira, Faith Chitunda, Thandazile Ndlovu, Natasha Rwambiwa, Yemurai Seven, Lethukuthula Nxumalo, Praise Garira, Thandiwe Mashore, Faith Mutero
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