The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
NOMAGUGU MAKHALIMA wants to be a journalist. But before she starts writing news she wants to be the news. The 18–year-old Young Gems players intends to make a mark when she features for Zimbabwe in the Netball Youth Championship qualifiers in Botswana next month. As she talks the talk, Makhalima looks ready to walk the talk.
Her WhatsApp status reads: “Success is never achieved by the size of your brain; it is always achieved by the quality of our thoughts. Fact.” Young Gems assistant coach Perpetual Siyachitema says the utility player is the first name on the team sheet because of her big heart.
“Netball is a team sport but every team has leaders and for us Nomagugu is one of our leaders,” says Siyachitema. Makhalima appreciates the weight of expectation on her shoulders and is ready for the challenge.
“I have played for the junior national teams at different tournaments but this one for me is very important. I am really excited ahead of the trip to Botswana,” says the Mpopoma High School Lower Six student “Competition will be tough because every nation wants to play at the Youth Championships but we are confident of doing Zimbabwe proud.
“This is more or less the same team which won the Region V games so we have so much experience. We know what to expect at such a competition and we are ready for battle.” Makhalima is ready to give her all in defence of the national flag.
“Fear doesn’t exist in my world, I play every game to win and try my best always. My Free Stars club coach (Manfree Tanyanyiwa) always tells me that losing is part of the game but there is honour in losing after trying your best so only the best is good enough for me.”
Away from the netball court, Makhalima has a passion for journalism. “During the day I will do sports and part of my school work, but at night I do my reading. I am studying Geography, Ndebele and History and would like to get a degree in Journalism in the future. Journalism is one of my passions, interrogating people and giving people insight to current affairs and all . . . I like that.”
