Zimbabweans in the diaspora welcomed Team Zimbabwe to the London Olympics

The event at Stratford Town Hall, less than five minutes away from the Olympic Park, saw officials and athletes honoured with music, food, and speeches.

Knox Chitiyo, Chairman of the Zimbabwe Diaspora Olympics Support Network, the group behind the event, said “we didn’t want the team to come all this way and feel that they had no support, so we decided to try and organise something.”

That something included plates of steaming traditional Zimbabwean food, several musical acts including mbira players and hip-hop act Iam MK, as well as the use of Stratford Town Hall – a privilege not granted to any other country for the games.

Zimbabwean-born boxing star Dereck Chisora was also in attendance at the packed hall. Newham Borough Councillor Joy Laguda, born in Zimbabwe, welcomed Zimbabweans and their friends to the event.

“We have never had the chance to have a celebration of Zimbabwe here like this before. This is an Olympic borough; the Olympics have regenerated this borough, and we are happy to welcome you here to see it,” said Laguda.

Ambassador Gabriel Machinga took the lighthearted approach, opening and closing his speech with a rendition of the song “Beautiful Zimbabwe”, but changing the lyrics to “bring gold Zimbabwe.”

On a more serious note, Machinga noted that sport can play a healing role and bring a nation together.

“This evening is part of the process of reconciliation and unity that we are also pursuing in Zimbabwe. This is our moment; this is our time. I’m glad Team Zimbabwe’s actions here can unite the country and help the cause back home,” he said.

“We have been given the freedom to celebrate the golds that I am sure will come,” he said.

Admire Masenda, President of the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, agreed that sport has a healing power, and also pointed out out the high levels of commitment it requires.

“11’000 athletes from seven billion people will compete at the games – that just shows the levels of dedication and sacrifice necessary to reach this stage. And we have seven who have made it,” he said.

“I can’t guarantee we will win medals, but I have an inkling we will,” Masenda said. “Just make sure to check when Zimbabweans will be competing so you can support them!”