SPORT, Recreation, Arts and Culture minister, Anselem Sanyatwe, has begun a major shakeup in Zimbabwe sport, announcing a new board for the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC).
The board will be chaired by Nathaniel Madzivanyika.
The announcement, made in a statement by the ministry’s secretary, Nicholas Moyo, comes a few months after Sanyatwe took over the sports portfolio, replacing Kirsty Coventry, who was elected president of the International Olympic Committee.
The tenure of the previous board, led by Harare lawyer Gerald Mlotshwa, ended on May 31, 2025.
The new board's mandate begins today and run until July 7, 2029.
The composition of the new eight-member board has raised eyebrows among some, given that many of the appointees do not have extensive public profiles in the sporting world.
However, Moyo emphasised in his statement that the new board members will bring different experiences and expertise, which will be crucial in achieving the mandate of the SRC.
“This crucial appointment has been made in strict adherence to the provisions of Section 11(9) of the Public Entities and Corporate Governance Act and in full compliance with Section 5 of the Sports and Recreation Commission Act (Chapter 25:15), which outlines the framework for the composition and appointment of the Board," he said.
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“This signals the government’s unwavering commitment to fostering good governance and effective leadership within public entities. The newly appointed board, comprising distinguished individuals with a wealth of experience and expertise, is tasked with the critical responsibility of guiding the strategic direction of the SRC.
“Their collective mandate will be to steer the SRC towards achieving its objectives of promoting, developing and regulating sport and recreation in Zimbabwe, nurturing talent from grassroots to elite levels, improving sports infrastructure, enhancing athlete development programs, strengthening governance in national sports associations, securing sustainable funding for sports initiatives and promoting inclusivity across all sporting disciplines.”
While Madzivanyika's name may not be widely recognised in sports circles, the board does include a few individuals with notable backgrounds.
David Simba, a veteran sportscaster, former tennis player and sports administrator, is one such inclusion.
His experience as a sports commentator and his involvement with the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Youth Games management are expected to bring valuable insight.
Another familiar figure is Lillian Chikara, who previously served as the national director for Special Olympics Zimbabwe, indicating a commitment to inclusivity.
Shingai Rhuhwaya, formerly the head of media and communications for Zimbabwe Cricket, also joins the board, bringing expertise in sports communication.
The full list of appointed board members is as follows:
Nathaniel Madzivanyika (chairperson), Gwinyai. T. Mharapara, Hlengiwe Dube, Shingai. J. Rhuhwaya, Givemore Madzoka, Valentine. S. Mudenda, Lillian. N. S. Chikara, David Simba.
