The ManicaPost
Fungayi Munyoro: Sports Correspondent
MANICALAND Women Football chairperson, Erita Kawera, who passed away on last Wednesday morning at Murambi Gardens Hospital, has been described as one of the most passionate football administrators in the nation.Kawera who succumbed to liver failure was laid to rest at Yeovil Cemetery last Friday. Scores of people from all walks of life thronged Yeovil Cemetery to bid farewell to the football heroine who raised a lot of talented players in the province. She was given a befitting send-off.
Former Tenax Queens FC coach, Eddy ‘Dhiya’ Jewu, described the late administrator as a fountain of wisdom who left a legacy that should be emulated by many.
“It is so sad that she has gone so early. She was like a mother to me and she helped greatly in the development of women football in Manicaland. Her death is a big blow to the football fraternity,” he said.
La Sakubva’s Timothy ‘Sicho’ Masachi, said Kawera was dedicated to her work.
He said: “She was dedicated to her work. I did not work much with her, but I knew her as a hardworking football administrator. It is sad to lose her so early.”
Kawera who was elected Manicaland chairperson in 2005 was also a librarian at Mutare City Council’s Turner Memorial Library. Born on July 12, 1962 at Alma Farm, Odzi in Mutare, Kawera joined Mutare City Council in 1985.
She attended Mukahanana Primary School in Gandanzara before enrolling at Dangamvura High School for her secondary education. She was also a member of the Salvation Army Church in Chikanga. Zimbabwe Women Football boss, Elizabeth Langa, paid tribute to Kawera for the hard work she did.
“She has been in football for close to two decades. She was soft spoken and very nice. She had a sweet spirit and always in a jovial mood. Above all, she was passionate about the girl child development. We are robbed as the football fraternity,” she said.
Kawera’s first born son, Macmillan described her mother as a friend and hard worker.
“We have lost a mother, friend, mentor and hard worker. Her life was dedicated to see others succeed despite who they are. She also united people from different backgrounds and raised us on strong biblical principles,” he said.
Kawera raised a number of good players and not only in the field of play, but in terms of discipline. Some of the players who passed through her hands include former Tenax Queens player, Precious Nyado who also played for Mighty Warriors, former Tenax and Mighty Warriors goalie, Deliwe Makaha, Tenax Queens’ Maria Lifa, the Sithole twins, Tsitsi and Chipo, Shalom Sithole-Mutasa, Sarah ‘Scude’ Mukudu and many more.
She spent much of her time working for National Railways of Zimbabwe Football Club.
Mutare City Strikers founder, Albert Chataika, who worked with Kawera at National Railways, said: “We worked together from 2000-2010 at NRZ. She was the netball chairperson, while I was the fixture secretary. She worked very hard and was recognised at national level until she was elected provincial chair for Manicaland. It is really a big blow to us as a province. She was dedicated to her work. She was a mentor to many. She knew how to deal with stubborn players,” he said.
