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Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
A DARK cloud hung over the nation’s football fraternity and the Eastern Region in particular, following the passing on of veteran administrator, Tedious Machawira, a man described by many as a father figure in football administration.
He was 69.
Although he initially played cameo roles as an administrator of the game, it was in 2001 when Machawira emerged onto the limelight when he became the founding administrator of the ZIFA Eastern Region at its formation with businessman and former PSMAS boss, Cuthbert Dube as its chairman.
The ZIFA Eastern Region covers Manicaland, Mashonaland East and Masvingo provinces.
Through his experience over the years and a rare gift of people management skills, the Masvingo-based administrator resolved countless disputes which apparently had become an everyday part of football administration across the country.
With his influential voice, Machawira had become a king-maker in his own right, with the likes of former ZIFA boss, Philip Chiyangwa, among many others enlisting his assistance to secure posts within the football administration set-up.
No wonder he would jokingly brag: “Even Chiyangwa had to get into a private jet to fly to Masvingo when he wanted to be the next ZIFA president, that’s Samanyemba for you!”
Nicknamed Samanyemba in football circles, simply because of his love for the late Tongai Moyo’s music, Machawira was also known for his determination to have as many teams as possible in the top-flight league from the Eastern Region.
In his eulogy, national ZIFA board member, Sugar Chagonda, wrote: “A gentle giant has fallen.
The demise of Mudhara Machawira will make Zimbabwe football poorer.
He was so passionate about football to the extent that in his entire life that is what he was always talking about.
Even in his retirement, he remained an oasis of wisdom in terms of football administration and had institutional memory as he was also one of the founding fathers of ZIFA Eastern Region.
“I got a call from him last month telling me that he was not feeling well. But before he disclosed his illness, his question was, ko nhayi mwanangu muri kumboita sei ne bhora ravanhu? Vakomana garai pasi, muri kutishungurudza. (My son, what are you guys doing with our football.
“Please sit down and chart the best way forward, you are causing us headaches.) I am sure he died a disappointed man. Sorry baba! We have lost a unifying force, to him, I say Baba, we have a lot to learn from you. May your soul rest in peace!”
Apparently, Chagonda knew Machawira from the latter’s’ days in the police force where he worked with the former’s father, no wonder Machawira was also very instrumental in Chagonda’s rise in the ranks of football administration in the county.
ZIFA Eastern Region chairman, Davison Muchena described Machawira as a mentor and father figure.
“The news of the passing on of Tedious Machawira was like a bombshell to the football family, especially the Eastern Region. Although we knew his health was not at its best, we were not expecting this kind of news so early.
“Today (Wednesday), is a very sad day for local football. To those who didn’t know him well, Tedious Machawira did not join the Eastern Region, he was one of the founding fathers of region. Such is the legacy he left in our history books.
“He was not just a friend to us, but our mentor and father too. His contribution to the game and its development will forever be remembered, not only by the Eastern Region family, but the whole country as he was a unifier and football genius. Our condolences go to the Machawira family and friends. May his dear soul rest in eternal peace,” said the ZIFA Eastern Region boss.
Muchena’s deputy, Simba ‘Mabhara’ Wisdom said football in the Eastern Region will be poorer without him.
“As Eastern Region, we are saddened by the loss of our mentor and father, Tedious Machawira. He was an inspiration to us and we will always seek advice from the old man.
“Football has lost again and the gap he left will never be filled. This is not a loss to the Eastern Region only, but Zimbabwe as a whole. We are with the Machawira family in these trying times,” said Wisdom.
ZIFA Eastern Region board member and former Mutare City Rovers FC executive member, Benjamin Chindima said he learnt a lot from Machawira.
“Machawira was a very good teacher, mentor, father and administrator for the Eastern Region and beyond. Personally, I owe him a lot for the football knowledge I have gained over the years.
He is one of the people who made me the person I am today as far as football administration is concerned.
“I am truly devastated by the news of his untimely death. The region and the national football administration system at large will never be the same without him,” said Chindima.
ZIFA Manicaland chairman, Kuziwa Nyabeze said Machawira was a rare breed of football administrators.
“We have lost a seasoned administrator. He was one of the rare breeds, a mentor per excellence.
“We cannot talk of the Eastern Region without thinking or mentioning the name Mdara Machawira. We can only say: ‘Rest in peace my old man!’ We will be forever indebted,” said Nyabeze.
His burial arrangements were not yet announced at the time of going to print.
As Post Sport, we can only say may his dear soul rest in eternal peace!
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