THE Rastafarian movement is at the core of bringing the unique dreadlocks hairstyle on the centre-stage although the hairdo is associated with a number of religions and cultures around the world dating to many centuries.
FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER
Many people frown upon the diverse grooming habits of people with dreadlocks but over the years, the style has become a fashion statement from children, models and celebrities all over the world.
Football players have not been left out and on the local scene, it is interesting that Bulawayo giants, Highlanders have brought on board some of the country’s football stars, who have taken to the trendy hairstyles.
Five Bosso players including three acquisitions for the 2014 Premier Soccer League season sport the dreadlocks with quite a number with close-to-weird hairdos, which is also synonymous with players in the big leagues, across the world.
Charles Sibanda, who joined his boyhood club Highlanders from FC Platinum, says he wears the dreadlocks because of his belief in the Rasta creed.
“I am Rasta man and that it is why I wear dreadlocks. I don’t smoke marijuana, which is associated with Rasta but mine is all to do with reggae music, which is my favourite type of music. But on top of that used to admire MaRo (former Warriors and Zimbabwe Saints and Amazulu midfielder Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda) with locks and he inspired me,” Sibanda said.
Also wearing the dreadlocks is former Chicken Inn skipper Felix Chindungwe, who says he is not a Rastafarian.
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“I used to have very short hair but admired Bob Marley. My hair never used to grow very long and one day, I just said why not put on dreadlocks and see and it just grew. But to me it’s just a hairstyle, which I let grow naturally. I am not Rasta; I eat a lot of meat.
Rastafarians lead a very difficult life. My locks have grown too long; they disturb me when I play so I have to tie them. I don’t let them loose,” Chindungwe said.
Former How Mine left back Khumbulani Banda jokingly says he did not like the shape of his head, that’s why he sports the dreadlocks.
“It’s just the hairstyle that suits me. My head is shapeless and I put on the locks two years ago when I went to join FC Platinum. I used to wear an Afro hairstyle. It’s just a hairstyle,” Banda said.
Hillary Madzivanyika, a product of Ajax Hotspurs, who joined Bosso from Botswana last year, also said he just loves dreadlocks.
“There is no belief or religion. It’s been seven years now and it is just I hairstyle that I like,” Madzivanyika said.
Warriors’ midfielder Peter “Rio” Moyo also sports the famous dreadlocks and always puts on an armband with Rasta colours (red, gold and green) and ties with dreadlocks with a hairband with similar colours, a possible affirmation to the Rasta culture.
Rio’s Facebook account cover photo reads: “I Love Reggae.”
Had Bosso retained right back Lawson Nkomo and Bhekimpilo “Barca”
Ncube, Highlanders would have been a team of dreadlocks.
The Highlanders of 2006, coached by Methembe “Mayor” Ndlovu had Mkhuphali Masuku, Master Masiku, Gilbert Banda and Ralph Matema with dreadlocks.
The other players at Bosso who sport trendy hairstyles are newly acquired Kudakwashe Mahachi, Rahman Kutsanzira and Welcome Ndiweni and goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya and Cleopas “Balotelli” Dube.
