BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
Zimbabwe women basketball star Mellisa Majonga grew up in the backdrop of poverty, crime and vice in one of the country’s oldest townships where it seemed that education was the only escape.
While Majonga was a gifted student in the classroom, luckily for her it was sport that would give her opportunities.
Despite her short stature, Majonga, who stands at just 1.56m, defied the odds to emerge from the high density suburb of Mbare to represent the country in basketball and become one of the few players to have pursued the sport abroad.
It’s now been four months since the trailblazing Majonga made a massive leap in her basketball career after sealing a dream move to Sweden to join KFUM Kalmar Saints.
And for her it has been an amazing experience except of course for the cold weather.
“So far it has been an amazing experience, it’s good playing basketball in a different environment. The systems are good, but what I can complain about for now is the weather because I am not yet used to it,” the 27-year-old told The Sports Hub from her Sweden base.
“I keep learning everyday, which is good for my CV and my career. My game keeps on improving everyday with the type of coaches that I have who have coached in top leagues in Europe, so I see myself going to play in the top leagues.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“For the three months I have been here I have been recognised as one of the most influential sports persons in the region. I was number 38 and it’s a good experience for me to be recognised and I think I am reaching my full potential here,” she said.
She revealed how she stumbled on the sport that would open doors for her.
“I have been an athlete all my life because my parents were all into sports. Before basketball I was into track and field events and netball so one day when I was Grade 6 I passed through Stoddard Hall and saw people playing basketball.
“And after playing they got sneakers so you know for the love of free things I joined the following day. Also I had a cousin, who used to play basketball and I would hear stories that they are going for camps and he is getting pocket money and food so that was my motivation as well as running away from chores at home.
She credits former Zimbabwe Under-20 women’s coach Sam Mutsvanga for helping her realise her basketball dream when she enrolled for his coaching sessions in Mbare.
“The person, who taught me and is still teaching me is coach Sam (Mutsvanga). He has allowed me to write this big story of mine.
“If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be here. Ghetto life is hard and he kept us away from the bad things,” said Majonga.
“He would tell us that you are student athletes, you need to be behaved, you need to concentrate on basketball, and you need to concentrate on school.
“And that has helped me a lot because there are some cases when I couldn’t pay my school fees but basketball opened doors and paid my school fees in A Level. When my Dad passed away basketball also paid my university fees after a team adopted me and paid,” she said.
A bright student who was head girl at Shingirayi Primary School, Majonga was exceptional in as many as five different sports namely netball, track and field athletics, Korfball and cricket and has represented provincial teams in most of them.
Basketball earned her a scholarship at Girls High School for her Advanced Level while Bulawayo club Southern Mavericks paid for her Science degree programme at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST).
Majonga was scouted by Jonas Sjöberg, who is sports manager at YMCA Kalmar Basket while she was playing basketball in Zambia.
At Kulmar Saints she doubles as an assistant coach.
“My dream now is to go up the division to Division 1 and from there to play professional Euro basketball. I am also a sports scientist and I look into developing basketball. I would like to contribute to other players being recruited or coming this side or going anywhere else outside Africa.
“I want to be that one person they look up to and say despite that Mellisa is 1,56 m tall she was recruited, so there is hope. I want to be a role model and especially inspire more female players,” she said.
In Zimbabwe Majonga played for Mbare Bulls, Stormers, Green Stars, Southern Maverick and Lakers as well as Unza Honeys, Matero Magic and Dolphins in Zambia.
