SOMETHING is not right here. 

In fact, it is quite disturbing. 

We celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8. 

Proponents have even dedicated the whole month of March to celebrate women – celebrating their triumphs in every sphere of influence. 

And the media is awash with our ‘high profile women’, the ‘Dr whos and whos’ – no problem. 

But we have a case here, a case of a luminary in the cold. A case of a prophetess not being acknowledged and celebrated in her own village as is expected. 

Kudakwashe ‘Take Money’ Chiwandire got me thinking.

I have never met her in person, but I watched her boxing match as she outclassed her Zambian opponent Catherine Phiri in Lusaka before being crowned the new World Boxing Council (WBC) Women’s Super-Bantamweight Interim Gold Champion.

Phiri, a Zambian Air Force officer, was left disfigured as Chiwandire ‘meant business’.   

Born in Mbare, Chiwandire is 26 years old and a mother of three. 

Here is a woman who has surpassed every boxer’s achievement in Zimbabwe. 

Here is a Zimbabwean woman who has become the second African woman to land the prestigious boxing title. 

And how did we respond as a nation? 

In fact, what support did we offer before her grand fight? 

Had it not been for the likes of Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Dr John Mangwiro and repatriation company Zororo-Phumulani, Chiwandire and her manager Clyde Musonda were going to face a torrid time.

But back to Chiwandire’s feat.

Her return from Zambia was supposed to be a grandstanding. 

Yes, the Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Tino Machakaire, was there at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to welcome the champion, but where were the scores of Zimbabweans, save for some few Government officials and traditional dancers? 

Tucked somewhere in offices and homes! 

We have numerous organisations that supposedly represent women in this country. 

Actually, they are too many to mention, but they were nowhere in sight; no statements nor acknowledgenment whatsoever to celebrate this remarkable woman! 

Not even congratulatory messages in the press! 

Of course, there were snippets here and there on television and radio, but that was it. 

Chiwandire made history on February 26 2022. 

We are now in mid-March and there is still no ‘noise’. 

We should have made so much noise on her return from Lusaka; still nothing can stop us from doing so now. 

I would hate to think that this is happening because Chiwandire is a woman. 

If that is not the case, could it be sheer ignorance?  

But here is a woman who has broken history. 

Look, this country has had exceptional boxers. 

We have the late Proud Chinembiri who was popularly known as ‘Kilimanjaro’. 

The giant was a former All-Africa Heavyweight Champion.

We have a former Commonwealth Champion in the Mbare-bred and based Arifonso ‘Mosquito’ Zvenyika.

Another pugilist of note is past WBC Silver Champion Charles Manyuchi.

Now Chiwandire has pulled the biggest upset in Zimbabwe’s boxing history and how do we honour her?

Patriot Sport is told Chiwandire walked away with US$1 000 in Lusaka. 

That is a paltry amount considering her expenses as she prepared for the fight – a fight she had boldly declared: “It’s either I die or bring the belt home.”

Indeed, she brought it home.  

And for the purpose of this article, I will draw a simple parallel between Chiwandire and Manyuchi. 

In July 2021, an article in The Chronicle chronicles how Charles Manyuchi met President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House to present his titles.

The article claims Manyuchi was given a US$10 000 token, while Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira pledged to give Manyuchi a 100-hectare farm in Masvingo.

The same article notes that Manyuchi was accompanied by the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Kirsty Coventry and her deputy, Machakaire, among other officials in the ministry.

It has been weeks since our gem raised the country’s flag high in Zambia as the world watched. 

Isn’t it proper for Minister Coventry and her team to take Chiwandire to State House so that she meets the First Citizen in person?

I am convinced that would be another dream-come-true for our super girl.

Isn’t it only fair for Minister Coventry and her team to ensure that Chiwandire is rewarded for her exploits in equal measure? 

In fact, she deserves more.  

Here is a woman who defied odds. 

She was once a vendor-turned hairdresser before getting into sport. 

She has played football and has been into martial arts before venturing into boxing and ultimately conquering the world.

Why then should we not make noise for Chiwandire?

She is a woman and has become our pride and joy as a nation.

Therefore, as we celebrate women this month, spare a thought for our own ‘Iron Lady’ in the name of Kudakwashe ‘Take Money’ Chiwandire. 

She deserves more.