Mwanza’s moment to savour
FOR the Mwanza family, August 20, 2020 marks a day they did not know they were waiting for, but one that they will surely cherish for a lifetime.
Now that her papers are in order, armed with her much-awaited visa, the youngest of the Mwanza clan, Mellissa, is expected to depart for the United States on Thursday, where she will begin her new life at Putnam Science Academy.
The move, which came courtesy of a basketball scholarship, is widely expected to put her one step closer to her dream of one day gracing the arenas of the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association).
It is also expected to put her on the track to an even bigger dream, which is to venture into law.
At just the tender age of 16, the former Girls High School pupil is yet to make her choice on which of the two she will pursue after school, but what the scholarship does is bring each and every one of her dreams closer to reality.
“I want to make it into the WNBA, but also want do a lot of other stuff,” said the younger Mwanza.
“I want to be an entrepreneur, a lawyer and I also want to get to a point where I can give back to my community here in Zimbabwe.
“In law, I have seen it has people who have independent minds and people who know their rights.
“I also have a huge influence in Nyaradzo Munangati-Manongwa, who happens to be High Court judge and my aunt.
“She started as a junior lawyer and rose through the ranks right up to her current post as a High Court judge.
“She inspires me, and I want to follow in her footsteps, and that starts here and now with this scholarship.
“From a sporting perspective, I intend to give basketball my best shot, and if I am lucky will use the law as a fall-back.
“I want to be the best version of myself, and one day be in a position to give back to my community, which revolves around Waterfalls, where I grew up, and Girls High School, which nurtured me,” she said.
But that is then, for now Mwanza is still in shock that her move has materialised.
“The excitement of holding my passport, with a visa stamped, is yet to disappear, and I had to pinch myself a couple of times just to make sure I wasn’t dreaming,” she said.
Her mother still thinks her daughter’s move is surreal.
“Getting the visa was not difficult at all, as all her papers looked to be in order, but I shed a tear or two as soon as the task was complete,” said Annah Mwanza.
“I am just thankful to God who gave me loving and caring parents that helped me raise a child as a single parent.
“Many people helped make this a reality, among them Cameo Basketball Club and their coach Roderick Takawira, Freddy Manyau, Elijah Moyo, Mary Murombedzi, Girls High School and those affiliated to them for helping groom her talent.
“It’s a long list, and now that her departure is imminent, it makes all the sleepless nights, sacrifices and obstacles worth it.
“It’s a sport and educational scholarship, and so the hope is that it will give her the best chance possible to build a better life for herself,” she said.
Mellissa is expected to leave for the US on Thursday, where she will start her new educational and basketball life at Putnam Science Academy.
Founded back in 1928 by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, the academy has gone through many transformations over the years, morphing into a Catholic High School in the 1950s and an academy most recently.
The institution has a vibrant basketball programme, with the men’s team being the reigning 2020 National Prep Champions, a feat they also accomplished in 2018.