Connect with us

In the community

A cue for success? Zimbabwe’s pool players are betting on it

Published

on

BY FARAI MUTSAKA

Highlights of the World Cup and other sports events are on widescreen televisions in Ruwa on the outskirts of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. But all eyes are on the pool table … and the money.

Advertisement

Among them is 18-year-old Levite Chisakarire.

“I have to take the cash home … there is big money today,” he said, holding a pool stick and awaiting his next opponent.

At stake is a $150 first prize, a princely sum in a country where the majority earn slightly over $100 a month, according to official government figures, and about half of the 15 million population live in extreme poverty, according to the World Food Program.

Advertisement

“It can go a long way to pay the bills,” said the boyish Chisakarire, the youngest player vying for the day’s prize.

Previously a minority sport played in Zimbabwe’s wealthier neighborhoods, pool has increased in popularity over the years, first as a pastime and now as a survival mode for many in a country where full-time jobs are very hard to come by.Unable to further his education after finishing high school with low grades in 2019, Chisakarire struggled to find a job in Zimbabwe’s stressed industries. The outbreak of COVID-19 meant his father, a truck driver, lost regular work. So Chisakarire began hanging around an illegal tavern where patrons dodged or bribed police to overlook pandemic restrictions so they could drink beer and play pool.His hobby became a skill and he showed a talent for shooting the round balls into the pockets. Soon it helped solve his financial problems as he began betting on his games and winning. These days he earns about $300 on a good month by playing pool, he says.

He’s not the only one. The majority of Zimbabweans earn a living from informal activities, which include selling tomatoes at roadside stands and also by playing pool, according to an October labor survey by the country’s statistics agency. About half of young people aged between 15 and 34 are unemployed and not engaged in education or training.

Advertisement

Some, such as Chisakarire, are finding a livelihood at pool tables.

“Pool became popular as a form of entertainment in bars, but it is now proving to be more popular than soccer in many places,” said Michael Kariati, a veteran Zimbabwean sports journalist for over 30 years. “It has evolved into a fiercely competitive sport with people placing bets and surviving off it.”In Harare alone, the number of professional players has quadrupled to about 800 in the past five years, according to Keith Goto, spokesman of the Harare Professional Pool Association.

“Then there are the money games that have grown exponentially. You find pool tables everywhere you go in the townships,” he said. “It is offering a form of employment and it is paying through betting.”

Advertisement

Others warn that betting is a dangerous habit that can have disastrous impacts on families. But with so many people out of work and Zimbabwe’s economic outlook so dire, many people are desperately scrambling to make money through a cue stick.

Makeshift pool arcades flourish in bars, verandas in front of shops, and just about any open space. Some enterprising residents have pool tables at their homes where they charge people 50 cents to play and place bets in violation of city laws that require such enterprises to be properly licensed. The tables are often worn and wobbly, but people don’t seem to care.In Warren Park, a Harare township, people ignored the country’s biggest local soccer derby at the country’s biggest stadium nearby to congregate around pool tables where money changed hands fast.

For quick money, betting takes ingenious means. Instead of playing the entire 8-ball game, some bet on the position of the black eight-ball after the first shot of the game, also called the break. Others punt on the best of three balls. One expert player offered to play using only one hand because people were too hesitant to bet against him.

Advertisement

Authorities sometimes carry out so-called clean-up operations to confiscate pool tables scattered all over. Often enforcers of city by-laws are simply paid off with as little as a $2 bribe to look the other way. Most punters in low-income townships place dollar bets on games in which they can win $3 or $4.In Ruwa, competition is more organized and stakes are higher. Each club member paid $10 as a participation fee, which went toward the prize money. On a recent day, 31 players paid to participate. Dozens more were spectators, cheering and betting on their favorite players.

“Imagine taking home $150! That’s more than what many gainfully employed people get per month,” said Goto, the spokesman. “Pool should now move from bars to schools and community halls like other sports, it has become mainstream after all.”

For Chisakarire, the 18-year-old, pool has become more than a game. From playing and betting in backyard taverns, he is dreaming bigger.

Advertisement

“It has changed my life,” he said, before sinking his next ball to win the tournament and pocket $150. “I can see myself playing in Europe one day.”-AP

 

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hwange

Victoria Falls man arraigned for murder in water dispute case

Published

on

BY WANDILE TSHUMA 

A 38-year-old man known as “Spraga,” appeared in the Victoria Falls Magistrates’ Court last week to face murder charges following the death of a 17-year-old boy.

Advertisement

The accused, who formal name is Tinashe Wireless Nyarukokora appeared before the resident magistrate Linda Dzvene.

The allegations indicate that on 12 August, Nyarukokora was involved in an altercation with the deceased concerning water access at the Victoria Falls wastewater treatment ponds.

The situation escalated in the early hours of 13 August when the deceased, returning home from drinking in Chinotimba, encountered Nyarukokora again at the same location.

Advertisement

Reports allege that during this encounter, Nyarukokora assaulted the victim with a wooden log and an electric cable before strangling him to death.

After realizing the boy had died, Nyarukokora reportedly disposed of the body in a nearby sewer pond, approximately 15 meters from the site of the attack, and subsequently fled the scene.

On 16 August 2025, a worker conducting routine inspections at the treatment ponds found the victim’s body floating.

Advertisement

Police investigations linked Nyarukokora to the crime after a witness reported hearing the victim cry out in distress, specifically calling the accused’s name, “Spraga, Spraga, why are you strangling me?”

The court has remanded the case for further proceedings, scheduled for 3 September 2025.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

In the community

Calls for youth-centric health services echo at Victoria Falls budget consultation

Published

on

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

Last week on Friday, the City of Victoria Falls convened a meeting with the junior council and youths at Chinotimba Clinic to gather input for the 2026 budget.

Advertisement

The event sparked lively discussions on various topics, ranging from health services to transparency in project allocations, reflecting the hopes and challenges faced by the city’s youth.

One of the prominent voices at the meeting was Naison Mbedane, who passionately advocated for the establishment of a youth corner within the health center.

“We need a youth corner the same way that you are serving women, where they have their safe spaces to get help on health issues,” Mbedane said.

Advertisement

He expressed frustration over the stigma surrounding health issues, particularly sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

“If there is a youth corner where I can talk to a young nurse in confidence, it will make a significant difference. Many of my peers suffer in silence and fail to seek treatment due to privacy concerns.”

The issue of transparency in council projects also surfaced, as Ndabiqondile Zwelinjani emphasized the necessity for clear communication in project allocations.

Advertisement

Zwelinjani challenged the council to engage with youths at the ward level when distributing project opportunities.

“Let’s say you want to give 200 youths stands. Why not come to the wards and collect our applications? Development must be transparent; everyone deserves a fair chance,” he stated, highlighting the potential for corruption if the process remains opaque.

Lyle Magama, the junior council finance director from Mosi Oa Tunya High School, brought attention to the challenges faced by junior councillors.

Advertisement

She noted the program’s noble intentions to foster future leaders but critiqued the lack of support and clarity regarding their roles. “While we conducted a few workshops, more guidance would have been beneficial. I believe future junior councillors should be provided with uniforms and mentorship to help them succeed,” Magama suggested.

“We faced setbacks due to limited knowledge and guidance, which led to frustration. We blamed the council for not being supportive, but maybe we weren’t transparent enough about our needs.”

A presentative from Youth Invest organisation suggested for council to incoporate programs that will be championed and fit into the youths needs on climate solutions after the city was granted a wetland city status as the just ended cop 15.

Advertisement

In response to some issues especially of projects of 2026, the council’s chamber secretary Kholwani Mangena said: “Before concluding the 2026 budget, I suggest we meet next week (this week) to break down our goals. Let’s discuss what we want to achieve in 2026 and what we didn’t accomplish in 2025. We can identify tasks that can be completed within two weeks. I’m open to scheduling a meeting to outline our objectives.

Additionally, I’d like to propose that council members who aren’t re-elected can serve as advisors to the current council. This way, we can leverage their expertise and experience.

There are many initiatives that don’t require funding, such as career days for young people. Let’s explore ways to utilize our resources and talent effectively.”

Advertisement

She said council wholeheartedly support youth initiatives, and is committed to ensuring that they growth as this is part of their mandate to nurture and support development.

 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

In the community

Matabeleland North launches $250K fundraising campaign against drug abuse

Published

on

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

In a decisive move to address the escalating problem of drug and substance abuse, the government of has initiated a fundraising campaign in Matabeleland North Province with a target of $250 000.

Advertisement

The event will take place today at the Edmund Davis Hall in Hwange, focusing on raising funds and awareness to support youth rehabilitation efforts in the region.

Richard Moyo, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Matabeleland North, is spearheading this initiative.

In a recent interview with VicFallsLive, he emphasized the critical need for this campaign, stating, “The rise in drug and substance abuse among our youth is a major concern. We have seen children lose their lives and future because of addiction. This fundraising effort is essential to provide them with the help they need.”

Advertisement

Moyo addressed the need for government intervention, explaining that the cabinet committee on drug and substance abuse has taken significant steps to confront this crisis. “The committee has appointed chairpersons in each of the ten provinces to coordinate efforts against substance abuse. We must act now before the problem escalates further,” he added.

The background of drug abuse in Zimbabwe indicates a troubling pattern. Research shows a significant rise in substance use, particularly among unemployed youth and school dropouts. Moyo noted, “Many of our children are resorting to these substances as a way to cope with their circumstances. They often end up living on the streets, where they are exposed to even harsher realities. We want them to be occupied, and we will build rehab centers and hire people who will help them to quit the addiction because this is more common amongst the 2K children.”

Highlighting the importance of community involvement, Moyo called on local businesses and organizations to support the campaign. “We are appealing to all companies, particularly hotels and businesses in our province, to join us in this fight. Together, we can create a supportive environment for our children. Our president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, launched a nationwide initiative two months ago, and now, it’s time for Matabeleland North to take action,” he said.

Advertisement

Moyo further elaborated on the fundraising goal, stating that the $250 000 will be directed towards establishing rehabilitation centers and hiring experienced therapists. “These facilities will offer a second chance to those battling addiction. Our youth deserve the opportunity to rebuild their lives,” he emphasized.

Despite acknowledging that Matabeleland North’s drug problem may not be as severe as in other provinces, Moyo maintained that the issue is still significant, particularly in urban areas. “Here, we see children turning to drugs like marijuana, often sold by those who exploit their vulnerability. We must protect our children and provide them with the support they need to thrive,” he concluded.

The community’s response to this fundraising campaign will be pivotal in shaping a positive future for the youth of Matabeleland North, offering hope and resources for recovery and reintegration into society.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2022 VicFallsLive. All rights reserved, powered by Advantage