Makonese jokes about “death”

During the weekend, the South African media was awash with reports that Makonese had died in a fatal road accident in Ngundu, opening floodgates to the outpouring of condolences on both media websites and the central defender’s facebook account.

The Zimbabwean quickly made enquiries with Felix Manyanga, spokesman at Zvishavane-based FC Platinum, who said:

“I spoke to Makonese 20 minutes after the story was published and I can confirm that the story is not true – he is alive,” said Manyanga.

Makonese became one of the very few people to get a chance to read their own condolences, with more than 50 people posting on his wall between Sunday, while Monday was reserved for relief messages.

One of the most touching messages came from Irene Chamisa, who wrote, “Sad to know that you have gone sekuru, I have no words to say But God knows why He did that. You were a loving person and are.

You will be sadly missed by ALL MAKONESE family, nephews and nieces and ALL YOUR FRIENDS. REST IN PIECE SEKURU we will meet again cos we are all coming. I LOVE YOU SEKURU.”

“Zimbabwean football just lost a legend, and a rock in defense.. R.I.P mr Makonese,” wrote Chamu Mugadza.

“I remember when we were at Guni pa club house when you become an inside player. Inga taiti gora harife wani (How come we used to say a wild cat does not die?” wrote Joshua Chikukwa. Then someone let the cat out of the bag.

Ernest Imbayarwo, who had spotted the defender living life to the full in Zvishavane posted, “Zvenyika is alive. He spent a day drinking beer yesterday at Makwasha in Zvishavane.”

A friend who apparently spent the day drinking with Makonese called our correspondent, revealing that the player, cool as a cucumber when talking to the press, but mischievous at times, revelled at the outpouring of “grief” on his facebook page – choosing to take time to announce his life status as he wanted to see “how much people loved him.”

“He really enjoyed every bit of it. He did not take it seriously because this was not the first time he had to go through this. Last year, the same thing happened,” said the friend.

Makonese himself told The Zimbabwean that he was tired of people trying to determine both his life and fate.

“I always tell them that instead of them believing that I have a problem, it is them who have a problem with me, but they will not break me. I don’t care what they write or say about me.

I will remain Zvenyika Makonese. There are many of them who are always after me but I do not know why. I think one person who is after me might have started the rumour that I had passed away. I know it happens.”