By Flata Kavinga
Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Owen Ncube has called for the legacy of the late Vice President Simon Vengai Muzenda to be preserved through programmes that promote community development, youth empowerment and sport.
Speaking at the Simon Vengai Muzenda 10th Anniversary Golf Tournament at Kwekwe Golf Club today (Saturday), Ncube said Muzenda’s contribution to Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and post-independence development should continue to inspire future generations.
Ncube described Muzenda, who died in 2003, as a liberation war veteran and former Vice President whose political contribution included mobilising support for the liberation struggle.
“Today’s event underscores our collective desire to celebrate and preserve his immense contribution towards the freedom, independence and advancement of the majority black Zimbabweans,” Ncube said.
He said government had, since 2017, sought to preserve the legacy of the country’s liberation struggle through the restoration of liberation war sites, heritage-based education and the establishment of institutions and programmes dealing with veterans of the liberation struggle.
Ncube said the Muzenda golf tournament had evolved beyond a commemorative sporting event by supporting vulnerable communities through the Simon Vengai Muzenda Sports Foundation.
He said the tournament had also contributed to sports tourism by attracting golfers from different provinces.
“The tournament, over the 10 years, supported sports tourism for hosting provinces, which resonates with the National Development Strategy 2 pillar on job creation, youth entrepreneurship and development, creative industry, sport and culture,” he said.
The minister also highlighted the tournament’s role in promoting junior golf, citing the partnership between the Simon Vengai Muzenda Trust and Don Bosco Primary School in Mucheke, Masvingo.
According to Ncube, the initiative had helped create opportunities for young golfers, with international junior golfer Miriam Masiya cited in his speech as one of the products of the partnership.
The tournament is listed on the Zimbabwe Golf Association calendar and is being held at Kwekwe Golf Club from September 19 to 20.
Ncube said the event had also become an avenue for raising resources for vulnerable members of the community, urging continued support from golfers, sponsors, donors and other stakeholders.
He commended the Zimbabwe Golf Association, Kwekwe Golf Club, the Simon Vengai Muzenda Sports Foundation and other organisers for sustaining the tournament over the past decade.
The minister further urged organisers to expand golf to other parts of the country, saying this would support efforts to ensure broader participation in sport.
The 10th anniversary tournament marks a decade of events held in memory of Muzenda, with proceeds supporting community-oriented initiatives. The tournament has previously been reported as supporting vulnerable people through education and health assistance.
