Engineer Costar Takawira-Magwende is a man whose heart is after Zimbabwe Athletics.
It only makes sense because it is athletics which plucked him from rural areas of Murehwa into the bright city lights of Harare where he became a revered sprinter and ultimately successful engineer.
Takawira-Magwende is the founder and CEO of Baldmin Holdings Group, one of the top engineering companies in the country and a former national 400m sprinter and a member of the All Stars Team.
The former athlete has been supporting grassroots athletics projects since hanging up his sprinting shoes back in 2007 as well as promoting young athletes from disadvantaged communities and sponsoring athletics events.
Because of his love for athletics, Takawira-Magwende was interested in running for the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) at yesterday's annual general meting so that he could take the sport to the next level.
However, his nomination was cancelled under unclear circumstances but he remains determined to continue making a difference.
"Through my shared manifesto, I wanted the association to be inclusive and put athletes first who I believe are the main stakeholders in athletics. I wanted to bring accountability and transparency in sports, bringing world class competition on our mother land, wanted all provincial areas to have at least one big competition so as to expose all to major events," he told this publication.
"Our rural areas are usually neglected hence I wanted all athletes to experience better facilities. I believe we have the potential to win medals at the world championships and Olympics if we plan right and bring in more corporate sponsorship including working with former athletes, coaches and all those who have the sport at heart.
"I have been instrumental on our team that qualified for the Olympic Games by incentivising them.We have some of the best talent in the world and what’s lacking is proper grooming, facilities,and leadership qualities to harness our talent," he said.
Takawira-Mangwende reiterated his love for grassroots development where he has also availed scholarships to United States for a number of budding athletes.
"Grassroots development has always been at the centre of my heart. I started promoting juniors at Shabanie Mine. Through my foundation the Costar Takawira Mangwende Foundation whose theme is Educate the girl child and empower the Nation and the company I have managed to send 15 athletes to USA in full sports and academic scholarships and more are still going end of this year.
"We sponsor a few clubs with uniforms, funds and sponsor six to seven championships every year in collaboration with NAAZ," Takawira-Mangwende said.
He also reflected on his journey from the rural areas to success in athletics.
"We used to run a long distance to school in Murehwa and I guess that’s how my talent was developed. My former coach and school teacher Gift Chigwere (now late) identified me in Murehwa and offered me a sports scholarship through City of Harare then at Allan Wilson Boys high with my protege Philimon Hanneck who is now in states, he added.
"Robert Mutsauki took over and the rest is history. He impacted a lot on me and I was offered three scholarships in USA. I retired running in 2007 at AA mines and started helping juniors by training them with Mr Penduka at Scegs Legs Club. So for me Athejletics has been on my heart for some time hence the reason why I am still involved in sport."
Takawira-Mangwende is a holder of a National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and T5 City and Guilds in Applied Mechanical Engineering as well as a Class 1 journeyman certificate.
He has a word of encouragement for budding and established athletes.
"This is a sad reality we have in Africa that most sportsmen end up suffering after being involved in active sport. I encourage everyone to also try learn a skill or two if they are academically challenged. I was intending to set up a legends fund which will take care of the after sports like they do in South Africa," he said.
