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Mcmillan Mawiwi and Forgive Marimbita
Cool Lifestyle Writers
AN Epworth teen has defied the odds by becoming probably the first in his community, if not in Zimbabwe, to dare the deathly clutches of the infamous death trap called Epworth Quarry Dam by diving into and swimming in it just at the age of 18.
While many would not dare to venture near the dam owing to its history of claiming lives at a pace that has defied logic, leaving the authorities befuddled and scratching their heads for a solution to avert the deaths through drowning, the teenager has suddenly risen from nowhere to act as the lifebuoy guy of his community by offering his services as a “sea diver” – according to how people call the life savers.

Seldom or rarely have people of Respect Kuvheya’s age made history by making such a big feat and such cases are normally limited to fairy tales whereby the hero turns up just at the opportune moment to rescue a victim who would have been on the verge of drowning to death. This is not a fairy tale, but reality taking place, something which has caught the attention of many people who are awe-struck by the young man’s exploits in the waters of the dam that has earned itself the moniker, ‘Epworth’s Dark Pool’.

His feats in the waters of the dam can easily qualify him for honours as an Olympics champion, in what can leave the likes of Zimbabwe’s swimming sensation Kirsty Coventry, jaw-dropped in awe.

And talking of Kirsty, Respect cited the swimming icon as his idol saying given the relevant support, promotion and recognition by big corporates, nothing would stop him from writing another memorable and historic chapter for Zimbabwe’s swimming sports scene.

“I grew up in a family of people who were natural swimmers, dating back to our time in the rural areas where swimming is one of the requisite life-saving skills that one has to have in order to survive the harsh conditions that normally characterise such rustic lifestyle.

“Because of passion and constant practice, swimming to me became more than a hobby, it started flowing in my veins in similar fashion that blood does in my body,” he said.

Realising how his community was being decimated by the Pool of Death, Respect then decided to arrogate unto himself as the saviour of those who were victims of drowning, and to date, his exploits in life-saving have yielded positive results which have stunned people, both of his age and older.

“It is something that I just thought I had to do because where I come from, we had rare, if few cases of people who would drown out of lack of experience in swimming. But with Epworth, most of the drowning cases that I have experienced are not accidental but intentional. That is to say, they are purely suicidal. Losing human life is a painful experience especially when it is not God-ordained and by helping in saving people from perishing in the Pool of Death, who knows, maybe God has a calling for me,” he said.

The young lad says it is his wish to hone his academic side so that it complements his God-given talents of swimming and saving lives.

“I know that with the right kind of education, this talent I have will go places and help in putting our Zimbabwean flag on the world map,” he said.

If the Guinness Book of Records chroniclers are indeed as professional as they are, then the case of 18-year-old Respect deserves to find its way into it and serve as an inspiration to other youths around the world.

One thing which makes Respect a great and unique swimmer is that he can swim with his legs while his hands are tied up or vice-versa.

“I started swimming at the age of seven at Mukuvisi River in Mbare, that is where I learnt great skills. I can breathe underwater for up to 30 minutes, I can swim using legs only while my hands are tied,” he said.

Respect stays with his grandmother and said swimming is his source of income.

“When tourists or locals visit the place, I display my skills and they give me US$1 or US$2 which I then buy bread or something to eat with my grandmother,” he said.

He attended Gwinyai Primary School in Mbare before doing his ordinary level at Rehoboth College in Epworth.

He did not want to shed light on what happened to his family.