ZimExcellence

Tonderai Chavhanga : Seizing Opportunity (2)

June 30, 2021 CULTURELLE Episode 4
ZimExcellence
Tonderai Chavhanga : Seizing Opportunity (2)
Show Notes Transcript Chapter Markers

PART 2.  LISTEN TO PART 1 FIRST

Tonderai Chavhanga is a Zimbabwean rugby player and businessman based in Cape Town. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Tonderai’s passion for sports was ignited at a very young age. In fact he was granted a scholarship to play for the Prince Edward Tigers and was the youngest person to play for the team. His talents led him to playing for South Africa’s Springboks rugby team. Aside from being known as one of the fastest rugby players of his era, he is also a man of faith, dedicated husband and father of two children. 

Resources Mentioned: 

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tondi_chavhanga/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tchavhanga

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Intro : I don't know about you but I'm ready for Part 2 !

Tonderai : (from Part 1) But I think that, you know, if we really focus on the amazing, good things that we have, you know, we, we can be better off.

Vongai : It's this idea of not only representation, but also the power that it has on the future generations. I always say that as an actor and a storyteller. It is an honour and a privilege and a responsibility for me to be telling people stories, like it isn't light matter, especially if you're, if you're working with heavy subject material, like slavery, or, or apartheid, or even if you're just working with like, every day, material that may seem light, this could be this has been someone's experience, or it could be someone's experience. And in another life, it could have been your experience. So I am definitely for this idea of giving back in whatever ways that we can. I have this photograph of myself as a five year old, whatever I do, I'm like doing for her, like I'm fulfilling all the dreams and the desires she had, and letting her know that it is possible for her. And while I am also doing it for the next generations to say, Oh, hey, it is possible for there to be I don't know, a Zimbabwean astronaut, a Zimbabwean actor, a Zimbabwean rugby player, a Zimbabwean physicist or something. We can’t  close ourselves to say, Oh, it's not possible for us, when it definitely is possible for us. So with being having been an athlete, well you're still an athlete, even though you've got practice, you're still an athlete, or with having with being an athlete. Behind the scenes, there's always a lot of sacrifice. And I know there's hard work involved. And there's financial uncertainty, I know there definitely is with the arts. And with the sports, it definitely takes, in addition, a physical toll on the body. So with all of that said, What do you wish more people were aware of when it comes to following a life of, of being in sports, because it's, you know, it's not all people like, like, like to think that it's glitz and glamour, like, this person's playing soccer, and they make this much money, their life is great. And it’s settled, and they have no problems when that is not true.

Tonderai : Yeah, look, I'll always remember one of the things that that my uncle always like hammered in me was that, hey, it's important that you have a balanced life. Sport is great. But if you don't couple that with, with a good education and, and equip yourself, you're going to struggle. So I must say that is one advice that I did not particularly take, you know, I think I wish that I had given more to my education than I did. Because I think, as you rightly said, sport, and the arts is not it's no glitz and glamour. It's not all glitz and glamour. Yes, you know, you sacrifice a lot. And when it comes off, whether it be playing in front of thousands or you are performing in front of a sold out theatre. That is great. But the challenge that we have as people in the entertainment industry, well, I'm not there anymore. But the people that are in the entertainment industry is that what they do is only really, there’s a shelf life. And it's so important that when they have that opportunity, you gotta maximise on, you know, on whatever you have, whether it be in terms of earnings or the fact that look, the one thing that I was really fortunate about is I've been able to build really good relationships with people. And I think I realised that thing when I first started playing, going to marketing events was a chore for me.  I was like Aww y’know I should be resting and getting myself prepared for the game. But instead I have to go and chat to all these random people that I don't know. Then something like really a penny dropped and I was like, Hey, you know what? You're young. You are meeting with some of the most powerful corporates and entrepreneurs in, in, in the country. And those relationships are important. So what I started doing then was I saw it as, Okay, I gotta make sure that I build these relationships because I'm gonna need this relationship when my rugby’s finished. And, you know, I think not enough, sorry, I'm going a little bit back and forth, but not enough is being done to educate people that are in the sporting and entertainment industry, particularly when it comes to financial literacy. So yes, a lot of guys make really good money. But unfortunately, for all the money, that's that's often made, if not all of it, most of it is gone. And by the time guys are finished, guys are struggling. And unfortunately, because they have spent whatever time that they've spent only focusing on that their particular craft, and the money is gone. When they, when their careers are finished, they are having to start from scratch, whereas maybe I look at myself, so I'm 37 now, guys that I went to school with that are of the same age, they might not have earned as much as I was earning when I was when I was 19/20 and all of those younger years. But because they you know, they basically moved up the ranks in the in the corporate world, they are now at a stage where they could be at  senior positions where they are now earning they've been earning, they've been increasing the income in a nice gradual way. Whereas with the sport/entertainment you get here, and then when it finishes, it drops just like that. So I think financial literacy is something that is very, very important. And also, you know, once again, referring to the Bible, the Bible talks about your talent will make room for you. And if any does, but if it makes room for you like now I find myself. And I think many athletes find themselves and entertainment people that so people recognise them because of what they did. So they'll be the opportunities will be there where it's easy to… look, I'm saying easy [in air quotes]. It's not quite easy, but it's easier to work in an office and talk to a CEO of a top company. But the that that's as far as it goes at the end of the day, the substance, your substance, what you bring to the table, when you're in that office is what's going to keep you in the office, if what you've got to offer is not going to add to their bottom line it’s going to be like hey, you look you are great rugby player, we really like you, we enjoyed it. We loved watching you play. But thanks ha, we’ll chat again, then that's all, that's always gonna be. So I think that it's so important to for youngsters that want to be involved in sport and the entertainment industry that you know, you've got to make sure that you're developing yourself holistically. So that when you do make it and you can make it but the reality is that there is no it's not like there is there is even I mean in rugby, each union right now can only employ 50 players at a time. And from that 50 average age is probably going to start, it's going to be about 23 and a rugby career. If you have a really good rugby career, you can play until you're about 35. So you can imagine those guys are going to be playing rugby for about 10 years. And bearing in mind that only 50 currently are being employed, are being contracted. So at any given time, maybe per season, maximum that a union would lose between five and 10. But not more, that means that there's going to be five and 10 people getting into,  new people getting in the system, so it's not easy to break in. So it's so sad to see at times, guys that are involved in these different academies. That's all they're doing. They just, they just working hard to play, hopefully, play rugby. And then if it doesn't work out, then they've wasted three years of their lives. And it's really sad.

Vongai : I'm so glad that you brought to the table the idea of financial literacy, literacy and financial health. And the fact that we focus so much on our talents and our craft without thinking about the long term and the long game because there there aren't enough workshops, sessions, classes or just information for both artists and athletes, people in sports about you know, learning how to budget, learning how to save, learning how money works. Just learning about all the things you need to have in place for a rainy day fund or god forbid you get fired or god forbid you're injured, or whatever. So I grew up very much into the arts. And that's like pretty much all I know, when it comes to sports I only know about the bigger teams like the LA Lakers or the Chicago Bulls and just the bigger names and I've never been as aware of even the Zimbabwean local teams. How do you think that we could be more supportive as Zimbabweans of our national teams and like helping them get to those competitive global stages? Aside from like financial support or sports education, how else do you think we could be more supportive of them as a Zimbabwean community? 

Tonderai : It's not just a Zim thing, I think it's a lot of African countries also experienced the same challenge is that we, we see, we see others as better. I don't think we have enough national pride going around. So if you look at so I was assistant coach of the Zim rugby team, up until 2019. But if you look at the support that we've got for a national team, I would say we probably got maybe, maybe about 1000, maximum 1500 come and watch the national team playing. And yet, people demand that the team must perform with excellence, which they should. But there is quite a few things. In order to to create a professional environment, you need resources. So now we've got. I’ll use rugby, because that's what I know. So you've got these youngsters that are very talented and Zim has got a lot of talent. You. They are not necessarily. Some of them are working. But they don't they're not working. They're not getting paid very well. And some of them are not working. Obviously, the unemployment sort of rates are quite high. And so if corporates don't get behind the team, and give a little bit of financial support, so that the teams the coaching stuff, the management can actually create an environment where guys can perform. I'll give you an example. So in 2019, Zim Sables, it wasn't quite the Sables brand, but the Zim rugby team basically came to South Africa, played in the local tournament, against some professional teams in South Africa. So there's a certain youngster that came in, and he was a forward. And so in rugby, you got forwards and backs and forwards are the big guys. This youngster, very talented, but he came in at 87, around 86 or so KGS, which is quite light. I mean, professional professional backs who are supposed to be smaller ones. That's probably quite a small size for a back that plays professional rugby. But he was a forward. And this guy's got a lot of talent. So we were there for about eight weeks. Because there was, you know what, we were fortunate that there was good funding that came in from Titan Law and from getting the mining company that Zirtue they you know what, they did a good job. This youngster in eight weeks, picked up nearly 10 KGS of hard muscle. And he performed so well. In fact, he performed so well that he actually ended up getting a scholarship to play for one of the universities here and is doing exceptionally well. And he wasn't the only one so many guys just because they had the resources that just because we had the resources, were actually able to hold their own against professional teams. But without the financial support of the corporates, without the public going out to go and support the teams. Hey, go and pay a little bit of money to go and support your team so that that money can then be folded back into the system. And not just about the money but just go and support your team. I mean playing in front of 1000 people is certainly different to playing in front of 10 to 20,000 people. Imagine it gives you that you feel like you're playing with an extra arm and a leg when you're playing in front of the big crowd, you know. So I think it's, it's easy for all of us to want to demand excellence out of our sports teams. But then everybody's got a part to play, whether it be corporates, giving funding for the sports teams to actually function to the crowd actually going to go and buy the jersey going to go and support the players when they play. I mean, it goes a long way. So I think that if we gave a little bit more support to our teams, as opposed to so let's say how many Manchester United supporters do we have in Zim? How many Chelsea supporters we have in Zim? And you'll find a lot of the supporters over Manchester United jersey, shorts, cap, whatever memorabilia that they can, and it's expensive. But then, how many? How many guys have got a Dynamos, Dynamos jersey, or Caps United towel, whatever the case may be. So we would rather spend money on people that already have money that is that contribute absolutely nothing to us, except just, you know, the emotional connection of Oh, I'm a Manchester United supporter. I'm not saying that we mustn't support other teams, but we are very quick to support those that already have and that are doing well. Our own teams, we don't look at them, we're like, oh, no, they are rubbish. And you know, because we, we have so little expectations of our own, we are going to get very little results, or rather substandard results. as a as a, you know, is the outcome. So I just think we need to find a little bit more pride in our in ourselves as Zimbabweans. And we need to get beyond our teams, and support them in whatever way that we can.

Vongai : I want to be respectful of your time but I love where we were going with this conversation but to be respectful of your time I have two more questions and then a speed-round. So I know that you’re someone who is very strong in their faith. When times we hard to help you keep going. Especially because you left Zimbabwe which meant you left your comfort zone and maybe you’re family to then move to South Africa and start you life there and continue your career there. How was your faith able to be a part of that?  

Tonderai : So my faith. My faith is the one thing that has kept me going. In saying that I think I must put a disclaimer out there, I am far far from perfect. I think if you hang around long enough with me you will realize that. I think I’ve really been fortunate. For me my faith and my belief in God is not a choice per se, it is who I am and it is the one thing that has carried me. So you mentioned when I look at the hand of God that has been on my life from a rural boy in the village to going into town and from there just moving over to South Africa and I always look going back home every time I go back home I am so humble because I look at the guys that I grew up with, that I want to primary school with prior to my Blackiston times and I see them and I’m like jeepers this could have been me. This could have been me. I could have been here in Zimuto herding cattle, just not doing much. So it really humbles me like you know what I have been privileged and I’ve been blessed to be placed where I am. And yes I’ve worked hard and yes I’ve done this but how many people work hard. Majority of people are poor and are struggling not because they are lazy but because opportunities just don’t come their way. So I look at where I am now and it’s because of my faith that has brought me here, it’s because of the favour of God that has brought me here. I’ve been married now for like 12 years, finished rugby about 5 or 6 years ago and y’know the transition from playing professional rugby to the business world is very very tough. Very extremely tough. Towards the end of my career, the last 2-3 years I wasn’t earning great salary, I was earning…it was okay. But you can’t make enough in rugby to retire from, you simply can’t and y’know I had a whole lot of plans that I’d set out but things just  didn’t go as I planned and life was very tough. I was fortunate that and I’m very fortunate and blessed to have an incredible wife and she is amazing, she stuck by me through everything and it’s really my faith when things were going really really tough if I didn’t have that. How many people do you hear that when things were tough I started drinking or I started doing that or I started doing that? But I always believe that no matter God is gonna see me through this period and I am going through what I am going through and now I know that it is preparing me for where I am going. I think just like any child I can be naughty sometimes but I know that I have a father above who loves me and I love him and it’s my faith in him that has kept me going.

Vongai : I love that so much. It’s definitely faith and having that mindset to keep going through all the tough times. What advice would you have for someone listening right now who might be thinking I want to do what Tonderai does, I want to be in business or I want to go play rugby but they’re not quite sure where to start are there any resources or classes or clubs or books even that you could recommend to them. 

Tonderai: Ah look, I think in terms of a youngster that wants to play professional rugby. I think just like anything it’s not really just about rugby, I think if you listen to any successful people they’ll tell you about the sacrifices, the hard work, a lot of work that you put in that nobody else sees. And if you’re not willing to do that because at times it’s not even just about talent. I always say that. In Zim, in post-colonial eras there’s only been myself, Beast, Brian Mujati, Kennedy Tsimba and a few other youngsters that are playing. I wouldn’t say there are more than 15 guys that have made it in professional rugby but I look at myself and I say I had some talent but I was not necessarily the most talented person before my time or after my time. But I have always dedicated myself to my craft, I’ve worked hard, I’ve had a teachable spirit. Cos at times you know guys are very talented but they think they know it all and so they don’t want to listen to anyone. They don’t necessarily feel that they need to put in the extra work. I’ll tell you what. So one of the things that really helped me to be noticed and to be given chance was. It was on a Wednesday afternoon and normally Wednesday afternoons are off for rugby, you’re normally off so you train Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday off, Thursday, Friday you have light session and Saturday you play. So we had an off day on a Wednesday and then I was like I’m going to put in some extra work. I’m gonna run. So I think it was probably a 3-4K run to the stadium, to go run up and down the stairs. And it was during that time, that I was busy training and no one else was at the stadium that the Springboks Under21 team then rolled their bus and they started training. I would have been around 19 at the time and then low and behold the coach then calls me and he says Hey I remember you from when you playing at St. Johns, when you were playing at Prince Edward at the St. John’s festival. What are you doing now? Ok I’m gonna be looking out for you. So had I decided today is my off day I would not have met Jack White who ended up giving me an opportunity to play for the SA Under 21 and play for the Springboks. It was because I put in the extra work that I got that opportunity, so you know at times you’ve always got to be. Not at times, you’ve just got to go above and beyond to get to where you want to and obviously like I said earlier making it in rugby is only a stepping stone. Cos you’ve only got about 10-15 years of your life in that space but what are you going to do afterwards so it’s very important that you find what your passion is. Not everyone is an academic and you don’t have to necessarily go to university to make a success out of your life but you can certainly equip yourself in a way that you can make it. So I don’t know if I gave the right advice but really hard work, there is no beating hardwork. 

Vongai : I love it. It is a great reminder that it is not just the opportunity, it is what you do with the opportunity and it is also being ready for when the opportunity comes. Ok it is time for our speed round. Just gonna give you some quick little questions, you’re just gonna answer them. If you could have any superpower what would it be? 

Tonderai: Jeepers okay. Um. Shucks. I don’t. It’s supposed to be quick, huh? 

Vongai : Ok we’ll skip it. Favourite Zimbabwean musician ?

Tonderai: Oliver Mtukudzi 

Vongai :  Favourite Zimbabwean childhood snack. 

Tonderai : Thingz. Flings sorry. Is it not Thingz? 

Vongai : Thingz! What was the last book that you read? 

Tonderai : Actually just got my daughter Rich Dad, Poor Dad. She’s 11. 

Vongai :  Wait what’s it called? 

Tonderai : Rich Dad, Poor Dad. 

Vongai :  Oh Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Yeah that’s a good one. If you weren’t in business or you weren’t in rugby what do you think you’d be doing with you life. Think of this as an alternate reality. Your others interests. 

Tonderai : You’re making it very hard for me. 

Vongai : I’m so sorry. Would it be animation? Would you be back in our industry?

Tonderai : Definitely I would be involved in something to do with equipping the next generation. Not quite sure what

Vongai :  Sweet. The next one is a statement that you have to fill out. I AM ZimExcellence because blank and you have to fill out the blank. It is a power statement.  

Tonderai : I am ZimExcellence because the Zim blood runs through my veins. 

Vongai :  Love that. If you could nominate someone for the award of ZimExcellence who would it be? 

Tonderai : Tendai Mtawarira 

Vongai :  Sweet and if you could nominate someone to come on our show who would it be. 

Tonderai : Tendai Mtawarira 

Vongai : Sweet stuff. Ok is there one final message as we wrap up that you’d like to share with our listeners. As where we can continue to follow your journey. Thank you so much for your time today. 

Tonderai : Firstly thank you for the conversation, it was good going back memory lane. In terms of following my journey I don’t know I’m not really big on socials. I’m not that active. Look I don’t even know what my social media handles are 

Vongai : Don’t worry I have all of them , they’ll be down in the shownotes 

Tonderai : I’m excited about Zim. I’ll be doing a lot more business in Zim. I’m really excited I’m busy working with the Masawara Group at the moment. We’ve got some really exciting projects that we’ll be doing particularly with the young farmers association also busy planning on starting a membership club for young entrepreneurs in Zim. So really excited about being on that journey. I think a lot of us have so many things to say about how things are not right but not enough of us are willing to get in the ring and get our hands dirty and actually do something about it. I’m really excited about being part of the solution. Yes the politics plays it’s part but I think we can all play our part and I think it’s really through business that we can change our country. At the end of the day people need to eat and parents need to send their children to school so business is going to do that. So I definitely want to play a role in that space.

Vongai :  Thank you so much for this insightful conversation, I really enjoyed. Thank you for all that you represent, all that you stand for. For being so giving with your information and sharing of your journey. I look forward to you one day having a biopic because I know it’s going to be super inspirational. So thank you for coming on the show today.

Tonderai : Thank you so much Vongai, much appreciated and I wish you nothing but the best. Looking forward to seeing you dominating the big and the small screens. If there’s any way that I can be of assistance. Please give me a shout and I’ll be happy to help.

Outro : Mazvita. Tatenda. Siyabonga. Thank you so much for tuning in to this week’s episode of ZimExcellence.  If you found value from this episode please share it with a friend and go ahead and subscribe, rate and review. If you send me a screenshot of your review I’ll make sure to give you a shoutout on future episodes. Feel free to tag us on Instagram. @zimexcellencepodcast And if you identify as Zimbabwean I want to hear your story so go ahead and email zimexcellencepodcast@gmail.com. Til then have the best week and stay ZimExcellent! 

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