Dear Minister Kirsty
Jermaine Ndlovu
This communication concerns Zimbabwe’s national netball team, the Gems.
First of all, let’s get on the same page with a few facts about these women.
A short while ago the Gems gave the country something to cheer about after qualifying for the Netball World Cup finals be held in Cape town in 2023.
They returned home to a function where you gave the team US$11000 to share, translating into less than US$500 per person.
Their road to the qualification was noticeably devoid of support from the parent Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation. That means you, Minister Kirsty.
A moment here to thank retail chain Spar for their contribution to the Gem’s welfare. Why do you think no other corporate player came on board, Minister Kirsty?
Could it be because the minister responsible made no effort to use her professional and personal influence to do something? Because if that minister did do something, we the unwashed masses are in the dark and would appreciate some light shone on the matter.
The team travelled to the qualifiers in SA by bus and shared accommodation four to a room.
This is same team that made history in 2019 by qualifying for the same Netball World Cup in Liverpool, England, and were ranked eighth on the globe.
Again, that was a triumph of sheer determination as the team survived on a shoe string budget all the way. Again, under your watch, Minister Kirsty.
Shameful gender based discrimination
The latest development and treatment of the Gems speaks volumes about discrimination against sportswomen. Which we acknowledge you did not create, but seem to be perpetuating by not being an agent for change, Minister Kirsty.
Compare the US$11000 mockery to US$800 000 in allowances for the Warriors (male national soccer team) for their African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2021 endeavour, despite having failed to advance to the better stages of the competition.
The Warriors have never gone past the group stages of the continental fiesta.
But despite failing to reach the round of 16, each player received US$20 000 in allowances, and went on to receive more after the Confederations of African Football (CAF) disbursed prize money for the tournament.
First Banking Corporation honoured its pledge to pay each player US$1 000 for their win over Guinea. The players were also each reported to have been earning $150 per day for the duration of their camp.
Are you aware, Minister Kirsty, that just next door in SA there is a crusade for the remuneration of their national netball and soccer teams so that it is at par with their male counterparts?
The international football association, FIFA, has, on the other hand, made a clarion call for female footballers to also receive better pay checks as it pushes for the professionalisation of the sport.
Yes, we understand that netball has no FIFA deep pockets. But does that mean that a whole national team should so patently be presented as a group of paupers on the global stage?
Remember how the Government was good to you when you were an athlete
We sincerely thank you for the national pride you accorded us by winning all those Olympic medals. You will always be our hero.
Remember how you were feted to a State house feast a reward of US$100 000 among other recognitions for flying the flag high?
And others who brought national glory
The tale of Muzhingi and his newspaper pic ID
Between 2009-11, long-distance runner Stephen Muzhingi, tore the history books to shreds by winning, consecutively, what has been termed the “Greatest Race on Earth.”
The Comrades Marathon is run over an 89km stretch between Durban and Pietermartzburg, and is the test of stamina for participants from the world over who annually descend on SA to take part in it.
For such a feat, Muzhingi was the guest of honour at a State banquet, where he received US$50 000 monetary token, a diplomatic passport and a job in the Airforce of Zimbabwe.
He has since gone up the ranks to the position of Flight Sergeant and continues to benefit from a monthly salary and related perks, this despite spending a good part of his time in training in Durban.
For one who, back in that three-year spell, was having differences with his SA-based management team, Muzhingi had been made to cross the Beitbridge border post without his passport and national identification card.
His handlers feared that once he returned home to Zimbabwe, he would change his mind about going back to SA.
The absence of identification particulars made it particularly difficult for him to open a bank account so he could deposit part of the money given to him by the President. He just could not risk keeping such a large amount at home.
Armed with the following day’s paper, Muzhingi threw caution to the wind and visited a bank in Harare’s central business district (name withheld) to try his luck.
He showed the bank manager the front page photograph of him receiving a big brown envelope from the president, and explained his wish to have an account with that financial institution.
Coffee was ordered, the relevant forms filled in and signed, and Muzhingi walked out a new client of the bank.
The moral of that tale
Doors were opened for Muzhingi because of the personality he had associated with – the first citizen of the country.
That day’s picture in the paper was enough guarantee to convince the bank that this was a client worth associating their brand with.
Which leads us to the point of this communication.
How much would a picture of you, a beloved national icon- rallying the nation to partnering the Gems, be worth? What doors would it open?
You have the power to rewrite the history of the Gems, if only you so choose Minister Kirsty. Brands that would want to associate with these winners, if you created the platform, are many.
The Gems do not have to go to the 2023 Capetown Netball World Cup finals as the poorest of the poor cousins. They too can have the dignity and honour that is due to athletes who bring glory to the flag.
We are asking, no begging you, please do the right thing by these women.
We are the people of Zimbabwe!
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