Prosper Tinashe Mubaiwa: A Journey Shaped by Rugby

Patience Muchemwa

Senior Reporter

Prosper Tinashe Mubaiwa, born in 1992 at Karanda Hospital in Mashonaland Central, began life in Rushinga, where he attended Kasanga Primary School. His upbringing was steeped in simplicity, and like most boys, football dominated his early interests. It wasn’t until his high school years at Vainona High School in Harare that rugby entered his life—unexpectedly yet fatefully.

In 2005, as a freshman at Vainona, Mubaiwa accompanied his friend Antony Mutara to a rugby match between Vainona and Heritage. Initially a spectator, he was pulled into the game when the team found themselves a player short. After much convincing, Mubaiwa stepped onto the pitch for the first time. What began as a reluctant substitution became the foundation of his rugby journey.

Upon completing high school in 2010, Mubaiwa started assisting the school’s coach with the U14 and U16 teams in 2011. His love for the sport deepened, and in 2012, he co-founded the girls’ rugby program at Vainona with Antony Mutara. The team’s success became a well-known story in Zimbabwean rugby, marking a significant milestone in his early coaching career. Later that year, Mubaiwa and Mutara moved to Goromonzi High School, where they coached until 2020, transforming it into a rugby powerhouse.

Mubaiwa’s journey from player to coach has been marked by growth and challenges. Starting as a developmental coach, he evolved into a high-performance expert, tackling every obstacle with determination and passion. He credits rugby as a calling, one that remained strong even during his stints in marketing with companies like Unilever and Parrogate Zimbabwe. No matter where life took him, he always found himself drawn back to the pitch.

As a coach, Mubaiwa’s philosophy is rooted in three principles: excite, enjoy, and exhibit. He designs his training environment to instill excitement for the game, allowing players to find joy in their efforts and exhibit their skills confidently during matches. For him, a happy player delivers the best results. This approach is grounded in rugby’s core values of respect, discipline, solidarity, passion, and integrity—principles he believes extend beyond the field into daily life.

Mubaiwa’s daily routine as a coach starts early and often stretches into the evening, training players at different stages of development. His experience as a player gives him a unique ability to connect with his team, demonstrate techniques, and tailor his approach to their needs. Mental toughness is a hallmark of his coaching, forged through rigorous, game-based drills that challenge players to push beyond their limits.

Reflecting on rugby in Zimbabwe, Mubaiwa is optimistic about the men’s game. The Sables, Zimbabwe’s men’s 15s team, had an exceptional 2024 season, winning the Africa Cup after a 12-year wait. Schools rugby continues to thrive, but the women’s game requires significant grassroots development and investment to reach its full potential.

In comparison, rugby in Zambia, where Mubaiwa now resides, shares similarities with Zimbabwe but faces unique challenges. Zambian players often begin the sport later in life, making it difficult to compete with Zimbabwean athletes who start at a young age and reach high-performance levels earlier. However, Zambia’s club rugby benefits from better resources, with military teams providing employment and stability for players. Teams like Red Arrows, Green Buffaloes, and Nkwazi form the backbone of Zambian rugby, enabling interprovincial competition—something Zimbabwe struggles to achieve due to financial and logistical constraints.

Mubaiwa’s coaching success lies in his ability to identify and nurture potential. He values coachability, a positive attitude, and punctuality in his players, believing that skills can always be developed. For him, rugby’s essence lies in the camaraderie and lifelong friendships it fosters. The discipline ingrained in the sport, he believes, opens doors to opportunities unmatched by any other game.

Though his focus is firmly on rugby, Mubaiwa has aspirations beyond the sport, with plans to venture into farming and mining in the future. Yet, rugby remains his passion and purpose, shaping not just his career but his identity.