By Rex Mphisa
THE Beitbridge Urban Ward Two WhatsApp group was abuzz with praises after the Ziyah News Network story on Tinashe-Shingai Mukandatsama’s exploits with the South African male senior soccer team.
Just like gold, everyone in the ward, where the young Mukandatsama was brought up, wanted a piece of the recently recruited Bafana Bafana match analyst.
Former Beitbridge deputy mayor Patricia Ndlovu was first to react to the story.
“Whaooo well done sonny,” screamed Ndlovu triggering a wave of reactions.
Eberth Mashakada said, “Congratulations boy boy. Wadadisa (you made us proud and keep up the good and hard work. I’m proud of you.”
Dudzai Mapanzure weighed in and said,” Wow thats great keep on raising the flag higher and higher.”
And Mukandatsama’s classmate Samantha Ndlela could not hide how they associated: “Wow nyc (nice) he was my classmate.”
And the ward keeper Rodlet Chigwinya took the opportunity to congratulate the family for the young Mukandatsama success.
“Congratulations Mukandatsama Rev and Mrs Mukandatsama,” said Chigwinya.
And Aleck Mudhumo of the same Ward send praises to God and said “Zvodadisa izvi especially mwana wenyika yokwedu, Beitbridge resident & being a Baptist Mwari vanogona (it makes us proud esecoally from our Ward and Baptist Church, God is able,” he said.
Such has been the response to the young man who will be an important part of Bafana Bafana at the prestigious AFCON tournament.
His mother Priscillah responded warmly to the posts and said
“Thank you family.”
For the Mkandatsama family, success stories have become part of their routine.
Just a few years back their daughter was a finalist at the Miss Zimbabwe pageant where she was cond princess.
She had scooped the title combining her beauty with brains as a student of Africa University.
She has earlier been crowned Miss Beitbridge.
Hardly before they have settled, they have to stand up and party again for the young Mukandatsama who has almost trotted the globe with his soccer analysis.
Tapuwa-Munyaradzi, who is the second born, studied political science in Cyprus. After graduating, he migrated to IT, where he is employed now.
Ruvimbo, the third born, studied Public Administration and Management at Africa University and has now joined the corporate world in Harare as an administrator.
Kudakwashe-Shamiso, the last born, is into International Tourism and Management after completing her studies in Poland.