Some honey for Manyuchi

FINALLY some honey is coming Charles Manyuchi’s way.

For years, the Zimbabwean boxer has toiled, under the care of a Zambian stable, but very little has come his way, thanks to an unforgiving industry and a nation that until recently never really appreciated the scale of his achievements.

It is a story many boxers are familiar with.

Iron Mike Tyson insists Don King did a number on him when he was world champion and raked in millions per round.

Today, there is more rust than iron in Tyson; and Don is still the king.

Manyuchi is not jet-setting. He is not stone broke either. He is just not a millionaire. Not yet, at least.

And Oriental Quarries seem to know that there is something special about this boy, something that will make financial sense for them.

The Zambian boxing stable saw an opportunity that locals are blind to, took it, and are now enjoying the sweetness of Manyuchi’s sweat.

They have invested in the Zimbabwean boxer and one can bet their last dollar this is one decision they are not regretting at all.

Manyuchi, like a bee, has gone out to source the nectar to make some honey for them and himself.

His face graces billboards in Lusaka, they love him that side of the Zambezi and they wish he was more than just their adopted son.

Being stepson is probably why he doesn’t get the corporate support that Esther Phiri, the female Zambian world welterweight champion, gets.

Manyuchi and Phiri share the same stable, but that’s where the similarities end.

Phiri lives the life, rolls in fancy cars (or automobiles as Floyd Mayweather Jr prefers to call them) and a movie chronicling her journey to the top attracted full houses when it premièred in March.

Manyuchi is content with what he has, but knows it could be better if Zimbabwe honoured its own.

For years he travelled to Zambia by bus until a local company, Mr T 35, pledged to take care of his air travel and upkeep.

Now more people are stepping forward since last week’s meeting with President Mugabe brought Manyuchi to the limelight his exploits deserve.

The meeting with Gushungo came when Manyuchi had resigned himself to never getting his dream tête a tête with his idol.

Several high-ranking Government officials had previously promised, but failed to organise the meeting.

It was interesting to hear President Mugabe saying: “It (Manyuchi’s victory in Italy) was good news I never expected because I never knew him.”

Now, how is it that President Mugabe did not know Manyuchi, did not know the champ wanted to meet his hero?

Is this the same Manyuchi that Ministers Walter Mzembi and Andrew Langa promised would get to see the President after he captured the WBC title?

One cannot help, but think these ministers were simply saying things to the media, but never really going about keeping their promises.

Manyuchi has always made it clear that his crowning moment would be to meet the President. Last Thursday at Munhumutapa Building that dream came true, and being the gentleman he is, Manyuchi chose not to dwell on those who made so many unkept promises.

“I have nothing much to say, otherwise I will end up saying things that are off point, save to say I am really overjoyed. It was my wish to meet the President and I have seen him meeting other people such as Kirsty Coventry and I said I should also do the same,” he said.

It’s called the Gushungo effect.

Some get tongue-tied, like Manyuchi; some, like Alick Macheso, break down in tears and vow not to wash the hand that greeted the President.

Now a Presidential bash is planned exactly a week after Manyuchi shook the President’s hand and the life of a boy who grew up in abject poverty will never be the same again.

Here’s to you, Charles Manyuchi; a real people’s champ!Agnihil eos