Connect with us

Slider

Marvelous Nakamba is changing lives in Zimbabwe

Published

on

BIRMINGHAM – Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba continues to give back to the communities in Zimbabwe that shaped him as a boy with a dream of becoming a professional footballer.

Nakamba grew up in Bulawayo and played for Zimbabwean clubs Highlanders and Bantu Rovers before his eventual move to France to join Nancy in 2012.

Advertisement

Five years and seven Champions League appearances later, Nakamba joined Premier League  club Villa  from Club Brugge for £11million and has used his platform as one of Zimbabwe’s most successful footballers to launch a charitable foundation that helps people back in his homeland.

The Marvelous Nakamba Foundation (MNF) was formed in 2019 and aims to use the power of sport and education to give back to communities in Zimbabwe.

In April of last year, The MNF announced that they had managed to pay for 1,000 school fees as parents had been struggling to cover those costs.

Advertisement

The students were selected through recommendations by school staff, with a focus on the underprivileged.

It followed on from MNF’s announcement that the charity had paid school fees for 1,500 children in 21 schools from five provinces through its education assistance programme (EAP), in February 2020.

“Marvelous grew up as a boy who loved football and as his family, we nurtured his talent and made sure he got all the support to attain his dream,” said MNF chairman Anthony Nakamba.

Advertisement

As a family and the Marvelous Nakamba Foundation we are proud of you. Continue to make a difference.”

The youth tournament be staged at White City Stadium on June 25 and 26 and

Nakamba added: “Grassroots football is very important for the survival of the game.

Advertisement

“We all came through the system and we benefited because we were afforded the chance at an early stage.

“Henceforth, it is befitting that we continue with the tradition of supporting grassroots sport,” said Nakamba, who was groomed at the famed Bantu Rovers Academy in Bulawayo.”

Nakamba’s charitable foundation has also taken the latest steps in a major project that will help shape the futures of many disadvantaged children in his home town Bulawayo

Advertisement

Nakamba has also pledged to fight against child marriages in his country, too.

Earlier this week, Nakamba was present as Unicef Zimbabwe held a press event ahead of the Day of the African Child, which lands on June 16, in Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe.

In Zimbabwe, statistics show that one in every three women aged between 20-49 years are married before the age of 18, and Nakamba is committed to fight for change.

Advertisement

He said at the event: “I thrive to stand for what is right in society. I come from a disadvantaged background in Dinde, Hwange, down there.

“I have lived in a ghetto and you know growing up, you see a lot of abnormalities going on.

“I stand for what is right and I am going to use my brand to try and help in the best way possible.

Advertisement

“Girls have been disadvantaged in society since years back and we have to fight to end that.” – BirminghamLive

Advertisement

National

Chidzivo, Waison take top honors at Vic Falls Marathon

Published

on

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

Blessing Waison and Fortunate Chidzivo took top honors at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon yesterday, as Zimbabwean long-distance runners excelled at Africa’s most prestigious road race.

Advertisement

Econet General Manager – Marketing, Mrs Tariro Muchena (left), and Finance Director, Mr Chengeto Moyo, present the winner’s prize to men’s marathon champion, Blessing Waison, at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, while Victoria Falls Mayor, Mr Prince Moyo, looks on

The event, which featured athletes from over 40 countries, saw Waison storm to victory in the men’s full marathon, clocking 2 hours, 13 minutes, and 16 seconds. He narrowly beat decorated Olympian Isaac Mpofu in a thrilling duel that brought thousands of spectators to their feet.

Godwin Katakura followed closely in third, completing an all-Zimbabwean podium sweep in the 42.2km race. The trio’s success came with bigger rewards this year, after Econet Wireless doubled the total prize purse to $50,000.

Waison walked away with $3,000, while Mpofu and Katakura earned $2,000 and $1,500, respectively.

In the women’s marathon, Chidzivo delivered a commanding performance, clocking 2 hours and 42 minutes to claim another major title in her illustrious career. Ethel Pangiso and Phillipa Dube completed the women’s podium in second and third place, respectively.

Advertisement

Rising star Wayne Kabondo turned heads in the men’s 21km half marathon, overcoming a formidable field to finish in 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds. Kabondo pocketed $1,500 for his efforts.

In the women’s 21km race, Caroline Mhandu crossed the line in 1 hour, 17 minutes, and 50 seconds, ahead of Miriam Sibanda and Melody Kaseke.

The marathon’s inclusive spirit was evident in the 18km Specially Abled Races, which saw uplifting performances across different categories. Godknows Hamadziripi claimed the men’s tricycle title, while Samson Muroyiwa won the handcycle event.

Advertisement

Among the women, Stella Jongwe triumphed in the handcycle race, and Ratidzo Tomu took first position in the tricycle category.

Organized by Econet Wireless in partnership with Wild Horizons, the 2025 edition drew over 5,000 participants and spectators from more than 40 countries. The marathon route, widely regarded as Africa’s most scenic, winds through game reserves and offers spectacular views of the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls.

https://x.com/vic_falls_live/status/1941861569450725776?s=46

Advertisement

Beyond the races, this year’s event featured live music, traditional dance, health expos, and community wellness activities.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Slider

Zimparks launches elephant culling program

Published

on

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

In a bid to address the growing elephant population in Save Valley Conservancy, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has issued permits for a controlled elephant management exercise.

Advertisement

The exercise, slated to commence shortly, aims to cull an initial 50 elephants from the conservancy, which is currently home to 2,550 elephants – more than three times the ecological carrying capacity of 800 elephants.

According to ZimParks, the conservancy has been struggling to cope with the swelling elephant population, which has put a strain on the wildlife habitat and resources. Over the past five years, the conservancy has translocated 200 elephants to other areas, including Hurungwe and Sapi, in an effort to manage the population.

Zimparks says the controlled culling exercise is expected to provide relief to the conservancy’s ecosystem, while also benefiting local communities.

Advertisement

Elephant meat from the exercise will be distributed to local communities while the ivory will be kept by the State.

In a statement, ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo emphasized the authority’s commitment to responsible and sustainable wildlife management.

“We remain committed to ensuring that our wildlife resources are managed in a responsible and sustainable manner, for the benefit of present and future generations.”

Advertisement

Continue Reading

In the community

Hwange police seek public’s help in locating missing teen

Published

on

BY STAFF REPORTER 

The Hwange police are urgently seeking the public’s assistance in locating 16-year-old Latoya Lisa Munkuli, who went missing on May 7, this month.

Advertisement

Latoya, a dark-complexioned female juvenile, was last seen leaving her residence in Hwange around 4 pm.

She was wearing a distinctive outfit consisting of green trousers and a white T-shirt, and carried a black satchel. She stands approximately 1.6 meters tall.

Inspector Glory Banda of the Hwange police is leading the investigation and urges anyone with information about Latoya’s whereabouts to come forward.

Advertisement

If you have any information about Latoya’s disappearance, please contact Inspector Banda on 0785961747 or 0771256607.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

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