Police have not yet released their report but, Adam Ndlovu was laid to rest yesterday on Saturday in Bulawayo. Thousands of people from various walks of life were witness to the heroic send off of one of the greatest soccer stars the country has ever produced. Dignitaries, churches and politicians from all spheres of influence made sure to register their support to the Ndlovu family especially Peter and Madinda. The three brothers were a bad combination during the 90s both as Highlanders and Zimbabwe national strikers. While Adams was the least popular of the three, he had remarkable career especially as marksman to the famous Reinhard Fabish's "Dream team".
It must be mentioned that the famous national side had at least eight Highlanders players, and naturally, this did not go well with people from the other side of the country. They were grumbling and complaining, despite the fact that the team achieved a tremendous historic success. It would be to petty to talk about the fierce rivalry for supremacy between Highlanders and Dynamos in those days. As a matter of fact this still exist even to this very day. So given that fact, the three Ndlovu brothers completely and almost single handed destroyed Dynamos. They did not want to hear about Dembare, beating them home and away, most of the times. Clinching major titles and cups. If you are true Zimbabwean you know that humiliating Dembare like that is an unforgivable sin. It will take along time for the capital city's darling team fans to forget that period in history. On the other side this trio earned Bulawayo and Matabeleland's soccer royalty, even though they we darling in the national colors too.
Almost all of them have had the opportunity to coach the national team at different stages, except Adam. He a was now the head coach of Chicken Inn at the time of his death. Madinda and Peter have coached under 23 and the senior national team in various level and season. I did not talk about Peter great exploits both locally and a broad. No one person in Zimbabwe has dedicated his life to the sport both as a player and an ambassador than Peter Ndlovu. In short the Ndlovu name is a big name in Zimbabwe's football. More powerful than local and national politicians. That is why every political party took it upon themselves to publicly show sympathy to the Ndlovu at such terrible time. Everybody and their uncle wanted a piece of not only Adam, but of the Ndlovus at large. I will not mention names.
It is also amazing that most people from Matabeleland wanted Adam to be declared a national hero. Personally, I think that was pushing it a little bit too far. Lest anybody get me wrong, I am great fan for the Ndlovus and the entire Highlanders institute. It seem to me that Bulawayo and Matebeleland people are so frustrated in many ways, especially politically and economically. Its a fact we are the poorest region, and our people lose jobs every day, and to make matters worse we see Harare and other regions prospering daily. It has been like that for many years. I do not blame anybody for the frustration at all. We saw our fathers being frustrated, and now we the children are seeing the reality of regionalism and tribalism is action, and God forbid that we are not frustrated. Its real, not imagined. Given this back ground, I think as much as we have been marginalized from all angle, we have tended to oppose everything that the other side says.
Sadly this happens on minor issue more that important ones. The city of Bulawayo has no water, and nobody says a word, yet people are uniting their efforts to have Adam declared a national hero. I have no doubt in my mind that Adam and many other players are sports heroes. They are celebrated heroes whether declared or not, but for us to major on the minors is losing sight on the big picture. Rest in peace Adamski. You played your role!
To be continued!
No comments:
Post a Comment