Lovemore Dube [email protected]
SOBUKHAZI High School is celebrating a new generation of sporting talent, with three promising footballers identified by Bayern Munich scouts and two others selected for Zimbabwe’s Under-15 side.
The school held a brief ceremony on Friday morning to celebrate its outstanding sports personalities for 2026, with prominent Bulawayo lawyer Tawengwa Hara as guest of honour at the event, which also served as a send-off for some of the pupils.
Brandon Tshabangu, Sibusiso Nyoni and Thabani Ncube were identified by Bayern Munich scouts two weeks ago and are expected to leave soon for a camp at one of the world’s biggest football clubs.
Raymond Moyo and Malvin Ngulube have been selected for the Zimbabwe Under-15 team for the World Cup Festival in Azerbaijan. They are due to leave for trials in Harare at the weekend.
The school’s sporting success extends beyond football. Ayanda Moyo recently represented Zimbabwe in netball at the Confederation of Southern Africa Schools Sport Association (COSASSA) Games, while sprinter Andile Hleza is part of the national team preparing for the Region Five Games scheduled for Mozambique in December.
It was a morning dedicated to celebrating talent and encouraging young athletes to pursue their ambitions.
Hara urged the pupils to balance education with sport, saying Sobukhazi could soon see one of its own competing in the Premier Soccer League.
Guest of honour Tawengwa Hara
He said Brandon Tshabangu, who is already on the books of a club, could be playing in the top-flight league next year.
Sobukhazi has a proud sporting tradition, particularly in football, having produced players who went on to represent Highlanders, Zimbabwe Saints and other leading clubs.
Among its notable former pupils is Godfrey Paradza, who played for Highlanders, Zimbabwe Saints, Dynamos and national teams. He excelled in both football and the 400m, underlining the school’s tradition of nurturing talent across sporting disciplines.
Other footballers associated with the school include Nkululeko Dlodlo, Makheyi Nyathi, Gift Lunga (Senior), John Maseko, Dumisani Ngulube, Lincoln Siwela, Nomsa Moyo, Lucky Dube, Lucky Siziba, Chipo Tsodzo, Makwinji Soma-Phiri, Sikhumbuzo Ndebele and Dumisani Dube.
The school has also produced notable volleyball players, among them Membe Phiri, Justin Sibanda, Augustine Ngulube, Thulani Moyo, Qinisa Fuyana, Xoli Lubimbi-Ndebele, Hahlosi Khumalo, Sehlule Sibanda, Rhoda Kamanga, Patrick Ndlovu, Sikhumbuzo Gwala, Nkululeko Ndlovu and Anna Mwanza.
Beyond sport, former pupils have made their mark in the arts. Simon Mambazo Phiri of Siyaya has become a respected event planner and manager, reflecting the school’s history of allowing learners to explore and develop their talents.
Sprinters Methembe Tshuma and Thandazani Ndlovu, who at one stage recorded times that placed them among the top 20 in their respective sprint events this year, are also former pupils.
Ncube pledged that Sobukhazi would continue creating opportunities for learners to excel in their areas of talent.
