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Bruce Chikuni
IT’S been a good week for Warriors and Venda FC midfielder Tatenda Tavengwa’s grandmother, Podina Meki.
Tavengwa tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend, Nissi Lifa, two weeks ago.
And, his name remained untouchable in all the four Warriors squads which were released for the COSAFA Cup in South Africa.
The Vender Academy skipper had a tough upbringing and realised what it means to be rejected at a young age.
He lost his mother, when he was just seven, and her death brought misery into his life, as the man he believed to be his father claimed he was not his biological dad.
The former CAPS United player was forced to flee home as one of his uncles also violently abused him.
And, his grandmother, Meki, rescued him when noone showed interest.
Meki turned 82 this year.
“I think I have done the best I could to make my grandmother proud although I also feel there’s still time for me to do more.
“She was there for me when I needed her the most and those memories have kept me going because each time I feel like giving up, she comes into my mind with all the sacrifices she made in making me a better person.
“She never wanted me to settle for less and I noticed how excited she was on our wedding, “ said Tavengwa.
Meki told Zimpapers Sport that she also tried to change her grandson’s surname from Tavengwa to Meki.
“There was a time I wanted to change the surname as I felt it was better for him to use mine but I was a bit late as he had already been drafted to play the VW Junior Masters in 2011 to represent the country in Spain.
“I was advised to change it later after their tour and procrastination led us to this point and I’m not sure what he is going to do in the future.
“I’m happy for him and I hope he will keep on being a good man to his wife and seeing him in the national team brings me more joy.”
Tavengwa brought his grandmother a car to use for her errands, including attending church services, as she now struggles to walk.
Online Reporter