Ex-Hwange sprinter Simukancha dies

FORMER Hwange Athletics sprinting sensation Sebastian Simukancha has died. He was 30. Simukancha was found dead next to Nyaradzo Funeral Parlour in the coal mining town in the early hours of Tuesday morning. He was buried in at Madumabisa Cemetery yesterday in a moving ceremony attended by hundreds of people.

His father Cleopas Simukancha said the family was still in shock over the death of his eldest son, who was a sports fanatic.

“I am still shocked over the circumstances that led to the passing away of my son. There are many theories and versions we are getting, but I leave everything in the hands of God and we hope the police will soon conclude investigations into this tragedy that has shaken our family to the core. My son was an athletics fanatic from an early age and it was not a surprise to me when he became a member of the Hwange athletics team, which was popular back then in this town,” said the teary father.

Sebastian started his Hwange athletics career as a junior athlete in 2004 under the tutelage of renowned local coaches Chris Mlizane and Juma Phiri after leaving an indelible mark at Sir Humphrey Gibbs Primary and Wankie Secondary School.

He burst into the Hwange senior athletics team in 2007 under present Hwange sports officer Kenneth Nyape and featured in the all-conquering 4X400M relay team that featured the likes of former Zimbabwe national team athletes Gabriel Chikomo, Themba Ncube, Nelton Ndebele and Tryson Shonhayi.

Chikomo said he vividly remembers their days in action on the track.

“Sebastian was a highly promising junior and I vividly remember the big role he played in 2007 in the 4X400M relay team when we retained our Chamber of Mines trophy at Peak Mine in Shurugwi,” said Chikomo.

Ncube said: “We have lost a great athlete here in Hwange. After the triumph in Shurugwi, we again saw more glory with him in Gaths Mine the following year. His favourite slogan before races was ‘ tiyeni navo mawana’ (let’s take them on my boy).”

Simukancha is survived by wife Princess and two daughters.