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Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER Zimbabwe national volleyball team utility player Vulindlela Moyo has died.
He was 58.
His elder brother Lucky Dube confirmed on Sunday that Moyo breathed his last at 1am after a year of poor health.
A multi-silverware winner in a career spanning over 35 years, Moyo left a big void in the sport where just last week he was honoured by the Bulawayo Metropolitan Volleyball Association for his contribution to the game.
He was due another award by his former teammates ‘The Last Man Standing.’
This was in recognition of his enduring dedication to the sport in which of his generation in the region, he was the only survivor still active as coach of Spartan.
Moyo’s volleyball career started at Entumbane High School in 1987, where he established himself as one of the key players alongside Makhosini Tshabalala and Nkosana Sibanda.
In 1989, Moyo was among a bunch of 1988 schoolboys who joined Francis Moyo, Raerburn Ndebele and the late Augustine Ngulube at Vikings Volleyball Club at Tshaka Youth Centre.
By the end of the year, Vikings had joined the Highlanders Sports Association, forcing the club to play in the Matabeleland Volleyball Association as Highlanders.
Using his height to good effect, he rose to being one of the best outside hitters in Matabeleland, getting a call up to the provincial team that won the Inter-Provincial title in Gweru in 1992.
His second major title was the 1993 Matabeleland Volleyball Association Mid Season Tournament with the likes of Sikhumbuzo Gwala, Ndebele, Edson Gift Sibanda, Qinisa Fuyana and Fortune Sithole-Ndlovu.
His first national club title was the Anniversary Cup in August of the same year.
At the end of 1994 Moyo was drafted into the All-Africa provisional squad but lost out to Erasmus and Valentine Ernest Mangava.
He never gave up and kept working hard and became part of the 12 players that took part in the All-Africa Games competition in Bulawayo.
In 1995, Moyo joined a bunch of Entumbane, Gifford and Ihlathi schoolboys to form Bulawayo Raiders, the 1996 Zimbabwe Open winners with whom for several years they dominated the sport in Bulawayo, Midlands and Matabeleland.
Moyo coached ZRP Raiders and Spartans as well.
He was later appointed national ladies team coach and was International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Level Three certified.
Moyo is survived by his wife, Sitshengisiwe.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Volleyball Association said: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of a true legend, Coach Jasper (V Moyo). Coach Jasper was a cornerstone of our volleyball community—a mentor, a leader, and an inspiration to generations of athletes. His legacy on and off the court will never be forgotten.
“To his family, we extend our deepest condolences and support. To the fans and players: We mourn this great loss alongside you.”
Online Reporter