The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Kusema
Deputy Sports Editor
THE term “hero” has normally been reserved for people like movie stars, sportsmen and women, and the odd grown man in tights who goes around rescuing animals from burning buildings and stopping crime.
But that was then.
Now, courtesy of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed over 220 000 lives around the world, priorities have changed.
Finally, the spotlight is being directed at the good Samaritans, doctors and nurses who selflessly put their lives on the line in fighting the scourge.
One such individual is Zimbabwe rugby international Tapfuma Parirenyatwa, who is incidentally the son of former Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa.
The 32-year-old Sables’ eighthman — who is also a qualified doctor — has gone against the advice and best wishes of his family, and is currently one of the countless faceless men and women on the frontlines in the fight against Covid-19. “Listen, you must remember that for us, Africans, family is a very broad term, and most of us have the 16 siblings, nine parents, 21 cousins, 13 uncles who all have an opinion and feel they have the right to tell you how to live your life,’’ Tapfuma said.
“Their thoughts and fears come from a place of love and concern, but I believe that this pandemic should be viewed as a war against humanity. A war like no other before it, as healthcare practitioners have become the soldiers, and it is the duty of all those in the field to stand up and fight. This is the very reason why I wake up every morning and go to work,” he said.
With sporting activities suspended because of the pandemic, the Harare Sports Club’s eighthman has traded his rugby boots for a pair of scrubs. He is currently stationed at the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, where he is a casualty officer. And the role seems to have given Tapfuma a deeper understanding of the disease. “I think when the initial reports or cases of the coronavirus first surfaced in Asia, not many thought that it would spread so far and wide, let alone reach us here in Zimbabwe.
“When we had our first death due to the virus, it came as a shock to country.
“However, there are some people who are still a bit naïve or ignorant to the fact that it is a killer disease. Right now, there have been over two million cases (now over three million) and over 200 000 deaths, and it is time we all play our part to curb the spread of this virus,” he said.
The virus itself has disrupted Tapfuma’s lifestyle, taking up most of his time, both night and day. “I have an erratic schedule nowadays, as I am on call either at night or during the day.”
A good day for the rugby international is seeing a few people, or cases, as possible.
However, he spends most of the bad days stuck in his car. “My worst experiences on the frontline usually revolve around me arriving at work and unsuccessfully requesting for PPE (personal protective equipment).
“I usually then just spend my time in the car, waiting for the arrivals of said protective clothing. While it doesn’t happen too often, this is my idea of a bad day,” he said.
Inasfar as his rugby career is concerned, Parirenyatwa is still committed to the sport, and yearns to once again don the Sables’ jersey.
“Due to my erratic work schedule, I am not putting in the necessary time in the gym; I just do my best to remain fit. When I can, I try to do either a run or home CrossFit session — something intense, but short.”
But he still remains committed to both national causes — sport and health.
“It is ironic, but I view my involvement with the Zimbabwe Sables similar to that of the current coach Brendan Dawson. It is going to be long and winding, span different generations; just like he did serving as a player, captain and then coach. I hope to play for as long as I can, and thereafter even serve the team as medic or team doctor.
“Whatever roles that they need me to play, time permitting, I will definitely heed the call,’’ he said.
But with the Sables having to wait for the green light from World Rugby and Rugby Africa before they can resume their internationals, Tapfuma, just like he does with rucks, would also have to focus all his tackling energies to bringing down Covid-19.
