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The pupil . . . Tanya in her school uniform

Jonathan MBiriyamveka Lifestyle Writer
Singing one of his greatest songs titled “The Living Years”, Mike and the Mechanics says “Every generation blames the one before” .But this may not be the case with Tanyaradzwa Muzinda after she was exposed to motocross riding at a tender age.

Although her father, Tawanda Muzinda, could only watch the sport from tree-tops when he was still living in Mabvuku, he is now a proud father after his daughter took his passion to another level.

“First and foremost, most people think the sport is for the well-heeled or show-offs but that is not the case. I think as Zimbabweans we should be free to take part in any sport that we feel like and be able to excel.

“Resources should not be the limiting factor, this is why as a family we make sure we do away with some luxuries to ensure that Tanya has everything she needs to do well in motocross,” Muzinda said.

She is no longer watching the sport from the terraces or the tree-tops like he did but instead the nine-year-old Tanya as she is popularly known is hitting the heights in motocross-riding.

Tanya was recently the toast at the 2013 FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations at Muldersdrift just outside Johannesburg, South Africa.

Being the only female rider, Tanya competed with boys in the 65cc Class and managed to cross the finishing line in all her three races.
She was then rewarded with a trophy and a gold medal for her brave show in the 65cc Class as the Most Outstanding Youngest Female Rider at the event.

This was a remarkable achievement for Tanya, who was making her maiden appearance at a major international motocross event outside Zimbabwe and raced against boys in the 65cc Class. She became the darling of the big crowd at Syringa Park where she attracted media attention.

Her class also includes young Zimbabwean riders such as Kuda Mhene Jnr, Ryan Masimo and Big “BJ” Chitima, who also carried the Zimbabwean flag high at this year’s FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations where he put up some brilliant performances in the boys 55cc Class.

She is like any other normal pupil at Eaglesvale where she is doing Grade Four but outside the class she manages her time well and effectively.

“She is still a kid and she does what other kids do. She loves her teddy bears and Barbie dolls even though she is now into motocross. Shestarts her training on Thursday after school then on Saturday and Sunday after church she rides for one hour. On Friday she goes to track for at least two hours,” Muzinda said.

Whenever Tanya races and beats the boys, it is almost encouraging for the family that whatever “boys do, girls can do it too.”
Asked how Tanya was introduced to motocross, Muzinda said it was his friend Biggie Chitima who encouraged him to introduce his child to the sport about two years ago.

Unbeknown to Chitima that Muzinda had a daughter, he only got to know of it when he showed up with Tanya for training. Chitima’s son Biggie Jnr then became friends with Tanya and the two are now training partners.

Her ability to ride a manual Honda 50cc bike in the Pee Wee category whose competitors uses auto bikes was pretty amazing.
She is currently second on the riders’ standings out of 10 competitors. Being the only girl has made her the centre of attraction as she inspires other little girls of her age.

“She is a brave girl. The way she is organised and determined is just amazing. She gives me a reason to empower women. It is at this age they need to know that nothing can stop them just because they are girls. If she beats the boys she knows nothing can stop her,” Muzinda said.

On why he encouraged Tanya to take up the sport which comes with a high price tag considering the cost of uniform, the karts and even the trainers.

“Her first bike cost US$2 000 and the whole kit was US$900 but that didn’t mean that I had lots of money but it was because I made a promise which she kept reminding me everyday. For me it was about sacrifice even if it meant as a family we had to do away with other luxuries. However, the investment one makes on their child will live forever.

“There is so much that comes with the sport.Only recently we were in South Africa and after the games we interacted with the South Africans on the golf course. We discussed business and that was the best part. In motocross it’s not so much about the money but networking,” he said.

He said as a black Zimbabwean Tanya was representing not just Eaglesvale and the community but the whole country.

“Of course, we need the support of everyone because at the moment the corporate world has not been forthcoming with sponsorship and the Government needs to be involved since the constituency that we represent needs to be indigenised. I am not being political but the point is we want more people to get involved and not think this sport or that sport is for white Zimbabweans, no,” he said.

Asked how she feels about the sport, Tanya said she has always been an adrenalin junkie.
“I like speed and I enjoy riding my bike that is if I am not in school,” she enthused.

However, Tanya also has support of her coach Scott Kim and friend BJ. They have made Donnybrook their home.