Remembering Ronald Garura

Tinashe Kusema

THERE are a few lessons to be learnt when one juxtaposes the deaths and legacies of NBA and Los Angeles legend Kobe Bryant and Zimbabwe’s own great Ronald Garura.

Both were exceptional talents whose loyalty to their clubs — LA Lakers and Kingdom Cavaliers (Cavs) — is the stuff of legends.

Such talents are rivalled only by their commitment to “discipline and work ethic”.

Their influence on the game in their respective countries is still being felt to this day.

In the case of Bryant, almost every NBA superstar, from Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, Trae Young right to LeBron James, has a tale or two to tell about the impact Kobe had on their lives and careers.

With Garura, it is more of the same, as some of today’s biggest names like Simbarashe Mungomezi, Taurai Chitsinde, Brian Hore and Tatenda Matarure have passed through his hands or have greatly been influenced by him.

It is tragic that Garura’s storied career cannot be put in numbers — much like Kobe’s five NBA titles, 18 All-star appearances and 33 643 career points — for the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ) is still an amateur and simply does not have those kinds of timeless records.

While Kobe received a befitting memorial, flowing tributes and worldwide coverage following his demise a few months ago, all we have of Garura — who died of a short illness back in 2012 — is a lasting image of the coach seated alone on a bench as he oversaw a national team training session at the City Sports Centre.

The image is the first thing that pops up when you Google his name.

Still, as tragic as the facts are, they take nothing away from the late great Ronald Garura — one of the finest players to emerge from the country, or the GOAT (greatest of all time) as the expression goes.

Born February 13, 1971 in the then Rhodesia, Garura started playing basketball at primary level, at St John’s Emerald Hill, and is credited as one of the pioneers of spreading the game to the high-density suburbs.

But before he became a basketball hero, Garura dabbled in a little rugby and cricket, a former teammate and neighbour in Waterfalls, Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge, reflects.

“I remember Garura quite well, we were teammates at Old Marlvenians Rugby Team in the early nineties and neighbours in Waterfalls,” said the former national rugby team coach and Harare Metropolitan Cricket board member.

“He was a talented fly-half, one of the best I have ever seen, but due to his love for basketball, he never really gave rugby his all.

“I remember he hardly trained with the team and would only pitch up for games, but the guy was superfit and really talented, so we did not really mind.

“In Waterfalls, where I also lived, he took a lot of kids under his wing and helped them hone their craft.

“If I am not mistaken, he also helped erect the first basketball court in Waterfalls so as to give kids a place to play,” Mandenge said.

Mandenge also took time to credit Garura’s adherence to “work ethic and discipline”, something that became a running theme with all those that spoke of the man.

“Cavs was the first team I played for, fresh from high school, and the first session has stayed with me to this very day,” said Simbarashe Mungomezi.

“We were running a drill and then Garura stopped play after I made a mistake. Unfortunately, for me, I smiled as he was explaining my mistake and he chased me away for that.

“The words that he said to me have stayed with me up to this very day: ‘Talent without discipline is nothing, you have to respect the game and give it your all’,” said Mungomezi.

As Zimbabweans reflect on 40 years of Independence, Selby Dzengerere also shared memories of Garura.

“I have always been an avid basketball fan and follower, who played a bit in primary and secondary school, but most of my basketball credentials are administrative.

“I became chairman of Cavs basketball team when Kingdom Bank started sponsoring them in 2002.

“I had only read about his basketball exploits prior to coming on board, and meeting the man and learning from him was one of my goals.

“The thing that I remember most about the man is his commitment to the game. He did not want to lose, and as a coach, he was very tough.

“I learnt a lot of life and basketball lessons from him during our time together, but there is one story that really stuck out for me.

“I used to enjoy watching the Prince Edward and Churchill games when he was still coaching the former, and one particular game saw PE narrowly win the derby encounter.

“After the game, Garura called all the Churchill players who he had just beat and held a team talk with them. He offered them insights into their game, gave them tips and explained how and why they lost.

“Tawanda Chitsinde was in that game. And in another case, we watched Varsity Leopards and Raiderz game, during which he said to me Tatenda Maturure was going to be one of the best players in the land.

“Now, look where these two youngsters are,” he said.

More of his former teammates and players have all come out to sing his praises, including Raymond Madzudzo.

“I owe everything I am today to coach Ronnie, as he took me under his wings at Cavs and moulded me into the player I am today.

“I am coaching in Botswana now, an army side here, and I use Garura’s coaching blueprint, reciting every tip or advice he gave me and repeat every drill.

“We have won numerous titles and I credit coach Ronnie for every win, triumph or success,” he said.

On the court itself, Garura won numerous titles with Cavs, represented the national team at the 1995 All-Africa Games after returning from a year-long scholarship in the United States in 1993.