The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
“Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it,” so goes the adage.
But for netball powerhouse Perpetua Siyachitema and her husband Dalubuhle Nyoni, it is more than just saying but something the Bulawayo-based couple lives by, as they often have to endure several weeks apart.
The Gem and her husband use their WhatsApp profile pictures to tell their love story.
Siyachitema is the Zimbabwe senior national netball team captain, and doubles as the juniors coach.
She also turns out for Glow Petroleum Queens as a player-coach and sometimes she has to connect from Harare straight to Kwekwe. The jobs leave her with very little down time.
“Pepe’s life revolves around netball; she has a passion for the sport, she goes about her netball business with dedication and professionalism.
“Because of distance, when she comes to camp, we sometimes go on for three or so months apart but that never affects us,” says Nyoni. In a week, Siyachitema will be in the Gems camp as they prepare for the Diamond Cup in Polokwane, South Africa from November 26 to December 2.
Camp begins on November 11.
Upon return, she will head straight back into another camp, this time managing the junior netballers as they prepare for the Region Five Games in Gaborone, Botswana from December 6-16.
“I take every opportunity to support her because that’s her dream and as a husband I make it a point to be there at her crucial games.
“I am happy to support her in any way possible because of the fulfilment that her sporting career brings to her. “I consider it a privilege to contribute to her success as a player, coach and manager,” Nyoni says.
Sometimes Nyoni travels across countries to watch Siyachitema play.
As a physiotherapist at Premier Service Medical Investments in Bulawayo, he takes care of his wife’s fitness.
“I understand the pressure and how much injuries can affect performance. I make it my top priority to deal with her injuries so that she gets back on court as soon as possible. I sometimes also help her team-mates as well her junior team players,” reveals Nyoni.
The couple met in 2011 in Maputo, Mozambique at the 10th All-Africa Games, and wedded in 2015.
“Ours is a love & netball thing, just similar to the love & basketball tale. We are the Monica and Quincy of our love story.
“It was September 2011 and there were so many people there from all over Africa but despite all that, Pepe stood out for me.”
“She was leading the Gems and I was part of the medical team, I could see her passion through her play, something just stood out about her. We hit the right buttons and here we are today. She is a humble, wonderful companion and my best friend,” smiles Nyoni.
“Love & Basketball” is a romantic drama starring Sanaa Lathan as Monica Wright and Omar Epps as Quincy McCall who are two neighbours pursuing basketball careers before starting a relationship.
Nyoni reckons Siyachitema’s game against Botswana at the Maputo tournament is his favourite.
After featuring in more than 80 international matches in her career, Nyoni says Siyachitema believes the World Cup will be the most challenging – but his wife is up to it.
