UK murder that could transform Zim rural kids

Langton Nyakwenda

THE murder of a Zimbabwean schoolboy based in England 13 years ago made headlines, with the incident being described as “shocking” by a judge who presided over the gruesome case.

Yemurai Kanyangarara’s death dominated space on British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) news platforms and other English media outlets.

Brought to the UK in 1997 by his parents, Kanyangarara (16) was stabbed to death by learners from a rival school.

At the time of his death in 2011, he had started taking football seriously and was also a 100m sprinter, who won several medals at his school, and a bright learner with a bright future.

That is why her mother, Sharon Jambawo, who is still based in the UK, continues to grieve.

But she cannot mourn forever.

She has embarked on a journey to promote grassroot football development in Zimbabwe, in honour of her late son. Jambawo has launched a football tournament for primary and secondary school learners in Chihota and Marondera in Mashonaland East province.

The Yemurai Kanyangarara Tournament will be staged at Bumburwi Primary School and Marondera Secondary School on July 24 and 25.

“We are doing this to foster and inspire grassroots football and education,” Jambawo told Zimpapers Sport.

“We want to create a diverse and inclusive football community, and provide opportunities for young people of all backgrounds and abilities to showcase their talents and actively participate in the games.

“We want to remember Yemurai as the star he was, a bright learner and a talented footballer.”

Former local Premier Soccer League players and coaches are expected to grace the event.

“The idea is to focus on talented young players who may not have enough exposure to football development and resources,” she said.

“This opportunity will serve as a pathway for young players to develop their football skills and potentially progress to higher levels of competition and success.”

For long, budding footballers in rural areas have suffered from lack of opportunities and platforms.

Unlike their urban counterparts, rural-based footballers do not have proper football infrastructure, and their coaches lack knowledge on modern trends.

Zimbabwe Football Association’s technical director Jethro Hunidzarira, who has been touring football centres across the country, acknowledged this fact.

“Unfortunately, rural areas are very far behind, especially when you look at their facilities,” he said.

“So, we deliberately want to go out there, try and pick them up and also give them real opportunities.”

Kanyangarara was stabbed as he disembarked from a bus. His attackers were convicted.

“A 16-year-old youth has been given a life sentence for murdering a schoolboy he stabbed in the neck in front of bus passengers in south-east London.

“Osman Bangura of Peckham, who denied the murder, must serve at least 14 years. He was 15 at the time of killing,” wrote the BBC on June 6, 2012.

Bangura’s accomplice, Isaac Walters, who was also 15, was convicted of manslaughter and received eight-and-a-half years’ detention.

According to the BBC, Judge Stephen Kramer told the teenagers: “This was a shocking killing involving teenage schoolboys with the forceful use of a knife in broad daylight in a public place.”

The London Evening wrote: “A teenager stabbed to death by pupils from a rival school was about to move away from London for his safety when he was attacked, his father revealed.”