Soccer is a game they have grown to love in recent months. Not only do they like playing the “world’s most beautiful game”, but also hope to use its influence to unite the community and shut the doors to political violence ahead of elections later this year.
“It is amazing how people enjoy how we play the game,” said 26-year-old Catherine Takarindwa, a Fire Queens defender.
“It was not like that during the first days because everyone doubted we could play this game, but now they have begun to appreciate our commitment and hard work and we have won over a number of supporters who come to watch us play.”
As a mother, she has managed to juggle her duties at home and on the soccer field, thereby also retaining the support of her husband and kids. Her dream is to go beyond the Division 2 league but the team faces many challenges – chief among them being lack of funding.
When they thought they had gone a step towards resolving that, the few donations by Harare West’s MDC-T Member of Parliament, Jessie Majome, was misinterpreted by Zanu (PF) members, who accused them of being members of the former opposition party.
Harassment soon followed and the soccer-playing mothers remain fearful that their continuing relationship with their community leader could court more trouble ahead of the polls. “In 2008, a Zanu (PF) base was set up in this community by one Louis Chidzambwa, who terrorized the community, as they forced people to attend rallies and intimidated them,” said Majome.
“This area also reported cases of cholera in 2008 and typhoid in 2013. In 2011, I used the Constituency Development Fund to install a borehole, water pump and a 5000-litre tank at the plot to improve water supply in the area. The tank was destroyed in what we suspected to be politically-motivated vandalism last year. Marlborough police REF CR26/04/12 closed the docket, claiming the tank had ‘exploded’, despite them having been given the suspects’ names!
“I supported the soccer team to boost the confidence of players, most of who are either disadvantaged or were victims of political violence. This team is an example of how a hopeless situation can be turned into something positive and I have been inspired by their resilience.”
Fire Queens Crispen Gomo hopes politicians within the community would understand they “don’t seek any trouble” by playing soccer. He insisted that politics and soccer did not mix.
“Sports should be separated from politics and even when a politician donates to our team, people should understand that it does not automatically mean we will vote for them,” said Gomo.
“We are still free to vote for any candidate and anyone is free to donate to our team. We are one people and should learn to accept each other despite our differences.”
Post published in: Football