The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
After bagging two gold awards at the OR Tambo Soncini Cohesion Games in Germiston, South Africa last week, blade athlete Pride Mafira did not celebrate his achievements.
He immediately headed went to do his homework.
The 13-year-old is in Form 1 at Prince Edward High School in Harare and his ambition is to become a prosthetic technician after his sporting days are behind him. And he believes he should start preparing for that day today.
“I believe as a sportsman there is no better time to start preparation for life after sport than right now. If I am to indeed become a prosthetic technician, I should never lose focus in school,” said the athlete. While education comes first, he also came first in the 100m and shot put (T44/F44) at the recent OR Tambo Games. “The invitation to participate itself, to me, was a great honour and recognition because it shows I am becoming a name in the sports circles.
“I am happy that I achieved the best grade but am not really concerned about the medals. What is important to me is education especially now because we are approaching year-end and I have the end of year examinations to write.
“Participating at the tournament was a challenge for me to identify and sharpen myself. It was also an opportunity for personal encounters and to learn a lot from the senior experienced athletes,” Pride said.
Pride knows that to carve a post-sport career as a prosthetic technician, he must up his game in science subjects.
“Sciences need more study and so at a time like this, I am lagging behind a little, meaning to say back at school I have to give myself extra study time to catch up.
“My mates are always very supportive; most of the time they take me through extra lessons when I return from trips which is what has kept me going and able to balance both (sport and school),” he said. Pride is wise beyond his years in many ways, and appreciates what his father endured to fund his education thus far.
“After watching my father go through a stressful time trying to secure an educational scholarship for me, I owe it to him. Excelling is the biggest gift I can give him.”
