The Sunday News
BRENDA Mugove Mundiya rates among the most decorated former volleyball players with a medal collection to envy from two decades of activity in Zimbabwe.
Her influence has been felt everywhere she has played as she managed to win trophies and individual accolades with all her former teams. Born in Mount Darwin, Mashonaland Central Province on 25 October 1983, she grew up in Mufakose, Harare a suburb known for producing stars in football and volleyball.
Among some of the big names to emerge from Mufakose is the legendary soccer great Joel Shambo while in her sport Banny Manokore, Patrick Gweredza, Tsitsi Mazvivisa, Ford Mutate, Wellington Mudzimu, Peter Chitashu and Collin Ngulube are some of the big names to stand out.
While in her era Mufakose High 1 School gave her a break, many ahead of her had come from bitter rivals Mufakose High 2.
The multi-talented athlete captained her primary school in netball in a national tournament in 1996. In athletics, she won a silver medal in the 4x400m relay in a Harare secondary schools championship in 1998.
“I started playing volleyball in Form Two in 1998 at Mufakose High 1 School. What happened was that I used to play netball and I was a wing defender and I even played for the provincial team. One day as we were walking past the volleyball court, there were some snobs playing bezimaka kakhulu (showing off too much).
So my friend and I just said these girls think they are too good, let’s just stick around and see how this game is played, after a full rotation, I asked the teacher who was in charge to join and I was allowed to join,” said Mundiya.
She enjoyed the session and that was the beginning of a journey that landed her dozens of medals in a 20-year career. After a few sessions, she was drafted into the team that visited Bonda Mission for a tournament.
“We had Bonda, Visitation and Mrewa High School. After losing the A-level pupils blamed me since I was a Form 2 pupil. I came close to giving up the sport,” said Mundiya.
The coach was her Science teacher and looked for her so that she could return to the sport.
“The next weekend we had another tournament at Churchill High School and I was crowned the most promising player and from there after the tournament I was scooping awards.
I won best attacker, server, defender and most valuable player, the same year and I was called up for the national team even though I did not travel,” said Mundiya.
Brenda Mugove Mundiya’s medals
Mundiya said her mother played netball and was also into athletics. While her mum encouraged her, her father was a different person altogether, strong on academics.
“The hardest part was asking him to sign the indemnity forms, I would get lectures, he feared I would be impregnated by boys at sports. I had my first kid at 24 after I had completed secretarial studies at the Polytechnic and I was working,” said Mundiya.
Mundiya said volleyball gave her life social lessons.
“Volleyball taught me discipline, decision making, respecting others, socialising and I am what I am because of the people I met in volleyball,” said Mundiya.
Mundiya disagrees that when a girl child plays sport, they will lose focus.
“I am a living testimony to that, I have so many accolades as a player, I was captain of many teams,” said the legend. I have retired my knee guards, I thank God that my 16-year-old kid has taken up the sport,” said Mundiya.
Her child, Courtney Tshuma is at Thekwane High School and has represented Matabeleland South. After school, Mundiya joined Mufakose Hawks.
“We were unbeatable as Hawks, we would beat Highlanders and Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, who were strong. I also played for ZRP Raiders and Spartans and we won things,” said Mundiya.
She also represented Zimbabwe Open University where she won gold in volleyball, netball and the 4x400m relay in 2015.
She considers Railstars’ Patience Sibanda, Samu and Concelia and University of Zimbabwe’s Thelma Zvavamwe as having been some of her most difficult opponents.
“I played with some good players who include Media Mafuta, Gugulethu Dube (setter), Eunice Tsuura, Thelma Zvavamwe, Nozinhle Khumalo, Duduzile Ndlovu, Khanyile Dlamini, Proceed Mkonto, Patience Muzondo and Alexia Mugabe at Raiders,” said Mundiya who toured Southern Africa countries with Raiders, Spartan and Highlanders.
She speaks highly of Sandra Jera, Xoli Ndebele, Sharon Ndlovu, Thobekile Mswazi, Esther Mandeya, Duduzile Dlodlo and Marina Chiremba at Highlanders.
She believes that Aaron Mtede and Leadme Mdlongwa, her coaches at Mufakose did a good job in laying a firm foundation. One of Mundiya’s passions is philanthropy work and has helped many younger players with their education. — Follow on Twitter @lovdube
