With no claim to fame in his home country, Moyo’s departure might easily have gone unnoticed – its loss not felt except within the small circle where he worked.
Barely three years later, the South African government is reaping the fruits of the amazing talent with which that this qualified school teacher is endowed – plus his love for children and his passion for what he does.
Now working at Troyeville primary school in Johannesburg, Moyo (32) has proved to be an asset to the Gauteng Provincial Government, where his volleyball skills have also been tapped.
If he is not in the classroom voluntarily teaching pupils, even during holidays and odd hours, Moyo is out on the courts coaching them in volleyball and athletics.
Medals
Since he began working for the City of Johannesburg, Moyo has won several medals with his junior volleyball teams and gained recognition from the Provincial Government for his sterling work both on the court and in the classroom.
Last week, the young Zimbabwean was widely featured in the media, including the country’s most respected sports television channel – Supersport TV. The news was that he had been nominated among the three best sport coaches in the province. Although he eventually lost the top honour to Nico Coetzee, who has coached wrestling for about 40 years, Moyo is happy that he qualified for national honours.
“I also felt very honoured to have been part of the proceedings during the awards presentation ceremony,” said the Zimbabwean.
“It is always encouraging to have your name held in the same regard with people who are revered all over the country, especially if you are foreigner like me. I only came here three years ago, but there I was – the only black man in that final list of three people and fighting it out with popular names. I know that my time will come because I will continue working hard. The support I am getting from my employers, workmates, peers and players is just amazing,” he said.
He has no doubt about where his drive comes from.
Passion
“I just love working with children and I am glad that the local government has given me the opportunity to exercise what I really enjoy,” he said.
His passion to teach, even when others prefer to rest, puts him in a different class from a mere teacher. He is also involved in full time volleyball coaching at the nearby Johannesburg City Council-run David Webster Park
“I coach four teams – Under 11 boys and girls and the Under 13 boys and girls. All of them have been very successful since I began working with them in November 2008,” said Moyo. He cannot even remember how many medals his teams have won.
While also coaching other sporting activities, like netball and athletics, Moyo says volleyball is his first love because he started playing it while doing Grade 4 at Emathetshaneni in Lower Gweru, Zimbabwe.
“Since then, I have never had any life without the sport and I cannot imagine any life without it going ahead. Unlike other people, I did not come to South Africa to learn anything. I brought skills to this country. That is why it has been so easy for me to adapt and start achieving results.”
Schools Volleyball in South Africa is played at cluster, district and provincial levels and Moyo has tasted success oin all those levels, as his teams continue to steamroll past opponents, including bigger ones, with ease.
The volleyball team he formed in 2009 is currently on a roll and has gone for 78 matches unbeaten in the sport. The only time he has tasted defeat has been when he has fielded more than one team in the same tournament and both made the final.
Success
In his best stroke of luck this month, Moyo won seven medals – six gold and one silver – in seven days with his young teams. The silver medal came after two teams from his Troyeville Under 11 boys played against each other.
For his success, Moyo was last year appointed the volleyball District Chair for Johannesburg East as recognition.
Born in Lower Gweru, Moyo grew up herding cattle. He attended Emathetshaneni primary, Tohwe secondary and Hlangabeza High school.
He then enrolled at Bulawayo Polytechnic for an Integrated Library and Information Services Diploma, after which he worked at various schools as a librarian before later becoming an English teacher at some secondary schools in Nkayi.
“I was also very active in the Youth Education through Sport (YES) games, where I coached volleyball and achieved great success as well,” he said.
Dream
He was Matabeleland North Volleyball chairman between 2006 and 2008, after winning several tournaments at provincial level.
Moyo dreams of returning to his home country and building volleyball from the grassroots upwards.
“I wish that one day I will return and take volleyball education from the grassroots to senior national level. It is a minority sport in Zimbabwe, but can be much of a success if taken seriously. That is what I would like to do.”
Also passionate about the need to educate children, Moyo has formed an after-care facility and is teaching 37 pupils during school holidays.
“The children are from various nationalities – SA, DRC, Nigeria, Mozambique and Zimbabwe,” said Moyo.
With the success this teacher has achieved, one can only confirm that when Moyo left, Zimbabwe’s loss was South Africa’s gain.
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News