Towera Vinkhumbo the unsung heroine in Malawi sports: Netballer-cum-footballer on national duty
Malawi is fondly called the Warm Heart of Africa. Although this is the case, its citizens only feel the warmth in death. When one is dead, it is when Malawians start showing appreciation on social media.
But I want us to do right by this lady, Towera Vinkhumbo. I want Malawians to celebrate her heroics while she is still alive. This will encourage her and others to give of themselves without pause in service of national development in sports.
Most of us know Towera Vinkhumbo as the defence stalwart for the national netball team, the Malawi Queens. But she is more than that. She is also a football player and was part of the She-Flames that thrashed Mozambique 11-1 in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics qualifier in Blantyre on Wednesday.
I have no intention of stealing the shine from the Chawinga sisters, Thabitha and Temwa. They dazzled and scored the goals, brilliant! But there was also someone behind them who marshalled the defence in such a way that the Mozambicans found it impenetratable. And that person is no other than Towera Vinkhumbo.
Her resilient defensive talents have not only helped the She-Flames but have seen our National Netball team, the Qeens, compete with the best at the Netball World Cup and Fast5 World Series. In netball, her defensive pair with Carol Ntukule Ngwira has been the bedrock of Malawi Queens success at the world stage for the last 15 years.
She was part of team which finished third at 2016 Fast5 Netball World Series in Australia. She also took part in the World Netball Cup 4 years ago. She was part of Escom Sisters Netball Team which went unbeaten from 2008-2012.
She was also part of Malawi Queens which beat the Mighty New Zealand at the Commonwealth games. She is very likely to be part of Malawi Queens squad which is going to compete at The 2019 Netball World Cup in London in June this year.
It runs in the blood
Most soccer fans of my age are farmiliar with the name Aubrey Vinkhumbo who was fondly called Des Walker by Mighty Wanderers faithfuls. He operated at the heart of the Nomads defence. His quality was that he was very calm and confident for a defender. He had the rare ability to control and pass not what we are seeing to day from defenders who just clear the ball to safety in kick and rush football.
Late Aubrey Vinkhumbo was her brother. It seems she was inspired by her brother and when he passed on she decided to carry on the passion and fulfill what her brother started.
Towera was born in a family of 11 children (six girls and five boys) and she is the ninth born.
Her selfless dedication in service Malawi Netball and Women’s football is something that should not be taken for granted. Her talent is immense to excel for both national teams at the same time. Not an easy feat. She is a tough athlete who deserves recognition in our sports.
The next time Malawi National Sports Council organises those awards, spare one for this lady, Towera Vinkhumbo. I doff for this lady. She has earned my award as Sports Personality of the dacade. If it were in other countries, she would be gracing the front pages of those famous sports magazines. Her name would be mentioned in the breath as Sellena Williams.
- From the Facebook wall of Chimwemwe Nyirenda
She is beautiful. Is she married? Tikwatile zimenezi
Mkazi uyu ngakhale kuchipinda akhoza kukupatsa ma position onse. Big up TV. kkkkkk and please i mean TV as in Towera Vinkhumbo osati ya Times kapena Zodiak.
Mwaiwalako MBC nayonso ndi TV
That’s the spirit we need Towera. Send your account number for some juice.
Gembe, If people hate some tribes its because the thinking like you have shown here. You are not needed in our society.
CEO, Am not surprised with Gembe’s reasoning. It points to hatred that runs so deep among tribes in Malawi. For too long liars have allowed it to rein in the society such that they spew hatred and falsehood at will. At most they cover the lies with a thin veneer of truth. The social media is full of such lies. The sad part of it is that it is passed on from parents to children, from generation to generation. Very sad development.
Atsikana achilomhwe ntchito mikanda olo mpira wamanja kaya wamapazi palibe amasewera yesesani nanu gondolosi sangakupitiseni Patali agalu inu
Kodi bwanji kumapanga zinthu ngati ndi mache ako bwanji?
Join the discussion…Izi pano ayi
” Heroin ” in malawi or ‘ hero ‘ in malawi ?
Ndiwedi Mabvuto iwe Eti ? Pita ku school man.
kkkkkkkkk koma akuluakulu nzanu asafunse hahahahaha?
Mbatata usatichedwetse….bwelela ku primary school
kkkkkkkk Babatunde mchezeni nzanu bwino please hahahahaha. Nayenso waonjeza.
Stay blessed mi Sista its not easy kip working hard there is always a reward
Thats your opinion mate
TRUE. ENA AMANGOZIWA KUNYENGA NKUBA NDALAMA ZA BOMA.
UYU UYU TOWERA UYU CAROL BAPU ASAYEREKEZE KUMCHITITRANSO MWANO PAJA AMADANA NZABWINO.
I love what this lady does. Ulemu wanu towera