The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga
Sports Reporter
GEORGE TANDI has no grudges and regrets about how his once-promising cricket career failed to reach its expected heights.
Once touted to be amongst the most promising players in the country, Tandi’s career failed to take off due to segregation and racism in the sport in the early 1990s.
“I am the first black player to play for the Zimbabwe Under-19 team after the country’s independence in 1980 and the first player to be selected for the national team, while Henry Olonga was the first player to play for the national team,” he said.
“I should have been the first black guy to play for the national team, but because of the system that existed at that time that was very evil and racist and segregatory, I was not able to achieve that.”
During his stint with the Under-19 team, he at one stage had the best bowling figures on an international tour.
“I remember at one time when we were on tour with the Under-19 in Europe, I had the best bowling figures and I was the best cricketer in the country.
“I took 13 wickets — one more than Heath Streak — during that tour.”
Having broken into the Zimbabwe Under-19 structures at the age of 16, and with high hopes of being the first black player to represent the country at the highest level, Tandi sadly never came to realise his dream.
“It was my dream to play for the national team, and when that dream was taken away from me, it was painful. I would say it was one of the most painful experiences in my life.
“It was to do with the system, the choices of people not preferring other people because of their race and skin colour.”
Frustration got the better of him when he was 19-years-old and he took a four-year break to protest against a rigged system that favoured the selection of white players into the national team.
“After that incident, I hit rock bottom. With God’s grace, I was able to bounce back. I want my experience to benefit the next generation so that they can achieve the same greatness.”
Tandi believes he has found his mission in life. “My purpose and calling was to nurture these children.
“When Takashinga was started in 1999, I was part of the team together with the likes of Stephen Mangongo, Givemore Makoni and other like-minded blacks. I am happy with how the revolution gave opportunities to our young kids like Tatenda Taibu, Hamilton Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Prosper Utseya, just to mention a few,” he added.
“First, we wanted quash and destroy the racist system and create a whole multiracial system, which we have now.
“I am happy to have been part of the people that helped destroy racism in cricket.”
Nurturing talent has enabled the 46-year-old to heal from his past pain.
Among the latest cricketers to pass through his hands and feature for the Chevrons are Tendai Chatara, Victor Nyauchi, Kevin Kasuza, Tadiwanashe Kaitano, Richard Ngarava and Brian Mudzinganyama.
Chatara got his first bowling shoes from Tandi.
“To be where I am today is because of coach Tandi. He is the one who roped me into cricket when I was doing my Grade Five at Dangamvura Primary.
“And, interestingly, coach Tandi gave me my first bowling shoes when I went for cricket trials, and up to this day I consult him and I owe him a lot,” said Chatara.
