Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, [email protected]
IN the heart of Zimbabwe’s rural landscape, where the savannah stretches as far as the eye can see, lies so many tamed paths because of over stomping by animals and humans.
But in Bulawayo, barely 4km from the central business district, lies an unassuming Sobukhazi High School track — a far cry from the world-class facilities in Pretoria and Gaborone where two of the institution’s most celebrated train.
This makeshift track, with its grassy patches, coal ashes and no visible lanes, is forging champions.
Thandazani Ndlovu and Methembe Tshuma, two young athletes Under-22, have defied the odds to emerge as national assets, inspiring their peers with their unwavering spirit.
“We may not have the best facilities, but we have the best attitude,” says head Cain Ncube, beaming with pride.
“Sobukhazi has dominated the zone and province — it’s time the corporate sector steps in and gives us a track that matches our athletes’ potential,” has been Ncube’s cry since the beginning of the season after three great years of the school’s influence and impact not only to Bulawayo Metropolitan but to Zimbabwe athletics.
Fellow athlete and national hurdles champion Wesley Mazarura echoes Ncube’s plea, his voice tinged with urgency.
“We need sponsorship and support to take our talents to the next level. The conditions here are tough, but we’re tougher. We just need a chance to shine.”
“I am training with Fastlane Crew, who include 300m record holder and also 4x400m relay record holder Thandazani Ndlovu and Methembe Tshuma. As Fastlane Crew, we are hoping to get sponsors to improve facilities like the track because the track we are using is not good.
“We are confident that with good facilities we can produce better times,” said the national 400m hurdles champion.
Tawananyasha Mukarati, a young athlete watching from the sidelines, looks up to Ndlovu and Tshuma.
“They’re our heroes! This is encouraging to us because they have proved that with determination we can achieve our dreams.
“This is very motivating to us given that they are now coming from the World Relays and heading to the Confederation of African Athletics,” said Mukarati, a sprinter.
Tashinga Magama also a member of Fastlane Crew, who was at the club’s training where Tshuma dropped in to see his colleagues on Tuesday morning, and has a 10,58 seconds in the 100m and 21,8 seconds in the 200m, said the success of the two has had a big impact and it has pushed them to work harder to reach the world stages.
Stanley Mange an 800m runner with a personal best of 1 minute 55 seconds said the achievements had inspired them. “It’s promising, we can be better if we are trained by a national record holder in the 300m, Thandazani Ndlovu,” said Mange.
As the sun sets on the Sobukhazi track, the dreams of these young athletes remain undiminished. They know that with grit, determination and a little help, they can conquer the world . — one sprint at a time.
Bongani Ndlovu