Highlanders' Kaindu is a pedestrian

While it came to some as a big surprise, especially those n the diaspora, to others, there was nothing amiss with the Highlanders Football Club coach walking or hiking to work.

The different schools of thought coming from those disappointed by issue, ranged from the level, or lack thereof, professionalism in the country's oldest club which should have been leading the way.

Moreso, the team has been playing well of late and linking that success and the conditions of service seemed natural. However, immaterial as that point should be, the other people's point of view was that the necessity was trivial.

Noted were the points of how Mohammed Fathi bought his own car, and how other great coaches were never afforded the automobiles. It was even pointed out by a few that the club could not afford it. The car-rentals were said to be far out of reach.

Coaches like the late Eddie May, Rahman Gumbo, Dick Chama, Methembe Ndlovu and others did not have the luxury. In my negotiation for a lucrative salary with Amazul once upon a time, Delma Lupepe offered me the use of the coaches' car that only Roy Barretto had used.

His lieutenant in manager Mujuru refused to release the car since Charles Mhlauri had been with them as an assistant and being head-coach, was not afforded the car. That was over 10 years ago and the thought among many had not yet reached its 'sell-by' date.

The discussion ensuing from a Facebook post that Kelvin Kaindu's players drove to work while he relied on his 'footron' attracted a reminder how a car was donated for the Bosso coaches, but was denied by those who saw it as a political gimmick. It emerged that lack of follow-up caused the failure to seal the deal.

The possible connotations of politics was that Kaindu was not a wanted man at Bosso at the beginning of the season, almost leading to his deportation. Given the results that are on the table, it is clear how much behind the coach Peter Dube's Executive is.

Among many comments available on the team's Facebook group, the issue of unity was emphasised and the encouragement to shun factionalism topped the heartfelt indaba.

From the opinions that it did not matter if he walked, that he should have negotiated for a car or transport allowance to start with, to the fact that a car is unimportant as he should just win the matches, and forget about a luxurious life, it was proven how much lack of understanding is in trying to get something out of nothing.

The very mentality of not wanting to fix the problem and expect life to be right was saddening.

The blame game almost ensued with a view that one team of leaders was trying or tried to sabotage another, but at the day of the day, regardless of club finances, history and opinions, a pedestrian coach of a team of the size and stature of Bosso is a huge embarrassment.

Bosso prides itself as the Barcelona of Zimbabwe. If there is no issue with its Pep Guardiola walking the streets, then I do not know what shame is. If the club is a Manchester United, City, Arsenal or Chelsea of Zimbabwe, what is worse than their Arsene Wenger or their Sir Alex Ferguson risking their life walking the dark alleys of Skies?

It did not escape the observation that Mkhuphali Masuku drove a rival coach's car to work. Cooper used the car of Bantu Rovers coach, Methembe Ndlovu to attend to Highlanders' business. He also drove Ariel Sibanda's car.

By the end of the day, it was a heart-warming and pleasurable gesture of Tshepo Mabalane Mabalane to offer his own car, a BMW 3 Series for use by the Bosso coaches. Mabalane, of England, pledged to give away on condition of the club maintaining it and renewing the arrangement annually. While the car could be made available in August, he made contacts with the relevant authorities to iron out the formalities and was hoping to make arrangements even earlier, depending.

That spirit summarised the humanity of the team of coming together and fight a good fight for a god cause. The team spirit exhibited by the team so far, was matched by the fans on the sidelines and hopefully, the beginning of great things.

“I pray that some day, we all will realise that one of the major drivers of human success is the desire and ability to help others achieve their dream.” This was a thankful and encouraging note from those who appreciated the gift among many others.

Who exactly is Tshepo Mabalane Mabalane? See it here at www.tsendex.wordpress.com tomorrow.