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Robson Sharuko Senior Sports Editor
|ZIMBABWE international striker Tendai Ndoro is receiving a lot of praise in South Africa for leading a campaign to help former Amazulu defender David Mkandawire, who has turned destitute in Johannesburg, with leading South African television sports presenter Robert Marawa joining the crusade.

Mkandawire also played for Maritzburg United and the University of Pretoria in South Africa.

Marawa highlighted Mkandawire’s plight on his radio show on Thursday evening, after inviting Ndoro and his wife Phindi to the Metro FM studios, and this has triggered a wave of sympathy for the former footballer with a number of people expressing their willingness to help him.

Social media, including Facebook and Twitter, has been buzzing with messages of support from hundreds of South Africans and Zimbabweans based in that country who are now willing to help Mkandawire whose images, scavenging on the streets of Johannesburg, have gone viral.

Ndoro says Mkandawire’s fall from grace led him to tears.

“David Mkandawire was my role model, but tears were rolling down my cheeks when he was trying to elaborate his touching story to me . . . things can change instantly,” Ndoro posted on his Facebook page.

“We all need to be very careful, who’s happy for u (you) or who u (you) deal with in life . . . those who have a heart to help check him@ Shoprite in Kempton Park. Mwari itai ngoni ne nyasha ku vana venyu.”

And, on Thursday, Ndoro was invited by Marawa to Metro FM Studios to discuss Mkandawire’s plight, a programme that touched a lot of hearts among those who listened to it.

An image of Marawa meeting with the player was also posted on social media.

“Thank u (you) @robertmarawa for inviting us on ur (your) show . . . let’s hope Africans will come together and help the man,” Ndoro tweeted yesterday.

Marawa, Ndoro and David Nyathi went to Kempton Park yesterday to try and locate Mkandawire and they only found him at the OR Tambo International Airport after a search that lasted hours.

“The journey continues . . . thanx (thank you) to @robertmarawa and Doctor Nyathi for all wat (what) they have done, may God be with u (you) guys,” Ndoro tweeted.

Marawa said life was not fair, at times, and pleaded with God to have mercy on people like Mkandawire while also praising Ndoro and his wife for their efforts.

“May that light continue to shine on u (you) @Tendain07 and ur (your) lovely wife Phindi . . . Thank u (you) for taking the lead!!” Marawa tweeted.

“After a 2hr long search for the now destitute ex-Zimbabwean soccer star David Mkandawire in Kempton Park, we located him at ORT.”

And it has triggered a wave of messages of support.

safa spokesperson Dominic Chimhavi told The New Age newspaper this week that the plight of former players would be addressed by his organisation.

“It’s one of the issues we have tried to engage the clubs about. In most cases we find players move from rags to riches and immediately after their careers they are back to rags. Soccer is a short career; if they don’t invest properly they are going down,” Chimhavi said.

“We want investment companies to say how players can be helped. They earn massive money and after playing they are back in their family backyards. We don’t see that in rugby or cricket. This has to be done with clubs because we, as safa, don’t own players.”

South African Footballers Union acting president Tebogo Monyai said it was unfortunate a lot of former Super Diski stars were struggling after hanging up their boots and revealed they were running programmes to prepare soccer stars for life after football.

“We also have a safpu coaching course for former players and current players to study. It’s unfortunate Junaid retired before the programme started, but we are prepared to cover them and ensure they are out of these situations,” Monyai told the newspaper.

He said they had invited Junaid and Mkandawire to be part of the course. “I suspect David has a mental problem and needs psychiatric treatment before we consider repatriating him to Zimbabwe.”

What others said after listening to Mkandawire’s plight on Marawa’s radio programme on Thursday evening.

Bruce Salebaleni Mlilo

Thanks for the revelations with regards to David Mkandawire. I want to raise a point with regards to David being shy or embarrassed. I think what needs to be done is to find a few ex-players from his days @Amazulu in Zim, Maritzburg and visit him so that he lightens up, that way it’s gonna be easy to help him.

Henry Zulu

I respect you Rob for changing the lives of our own people, if it wasn’t for you bhuti nobody will be knowing this touching news about David Mkandawire. I hope you’ll be the President of this country one day. Keep it up the good job you are doing brother. I salute you.

Sanele Langelihle Ntshobane

Was listening to the show Rob, very touching and God bless you for providing such a platform to help those in need. Big up to those who took an initiative to try and help out the guy. I hope his countrymen who are making it big in the PSL or the football fraternity at large can reach deep in their pockets to provide help David. Let’s take care of our legends.

Siya Gift

It’s really sad to hear such things about such prominent people, he contributed a lot in his country . . . It’s time for CAF, if not FIFA, to start providing some sort of retirement package plans and administer them on behalf of countries.

David Monana

Robert Marawa you are a hero my brother, guys like you need to be celebrated while you are still alive. Keep up the good work.

Nosipo MlizNoz Nelani

Was tuning in and got emotional, please save David.

Njabulo Hlanze

Very touching story, may he get help soon.