He is an expert when it comes to avoiding the media.
Kwekwe-based businessman Shepherd Chahwanda, who is affectionately known as Mogodora in the second most populous city in Midlands, puts extra effort to avoid any interaction with journalists.
While his name rarely hogs any media limelight, Chahwanda’s accomplishments and results of his efforts are more persuasive than what he says or how he represents himself.
He is the owner of the soon to be completed Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe —a facility once described by Sports, Recreation and Arts permanent secretary Nicholas Moyo as “a game changer for Zimbabwe in terms of sports infrastructure development.”
Chahwanda worked hand in glove with football mad cleric Walter Magaya on the project, which has been fully embraced by football fans, if comments on its pictures on social media are anything to go by.
The stadium, which is expected to be a 15 000 seater, has circle-shaped changing rooms, a double story VIP section, B Area and rooms reserved for visitors from outside Kwekwe,
who wish spend the night there after matches.
CAF stadium expert Muhammad Feizal Sidat recently toured the stadium and expressed pleasure over its potential.
“We are satisfied with this project. We hope in the coming period of time, we hope this stadium can get approval from CAF for EITHER national teams or club competitions,” said Sidat.
ZIFA president Ngobile Magwizi also toured the facility and showered it with praise.
“This stadium is going to be a game changer for Zimbabwean football and I am confident that it will host many international matches,” Magwizi told the media after the tour back in March.
“I never imagined that there will be something like this in Kwekwe. When I passed through this place, on my way to my rural home a few months ago, there was nothing and today, seeing this infrastructure in place is really impressive,” he added.
Apart from the stadium project, Chahwanda also owns ambitious promotion-chasing Central Region Division One side Hardrock.
Hardrock —home to former Dynamos and CAPS United midfielder Devon Chafa, former Yadah full back Lenox Mucheto and former FC Platinum winger Donald Ngoma, are in an intriguing two-horse race for the sole ticket to the Premiership, with Gweru-based Sheasham.
He (Chahwanda) recently gifted Hardrock defender Munyaradzi Diro a vehicle as appreciation for his brilliant start to the season.
Even Magaya has nothing but praise for Chahwanda.
Commenting on Chahwanda’s recently acquired Rolls Royce Cullinan Black Badge which sent social media into a frenzy, Magaya said the businessman deserves to spoil himself after constructing a stadium for the country.
“He (Chahwanda) came to me and told me that he wanted to spoil himself with a nice car and I told him for someone who is doing what he is doing for Zimbabwe, he can get himself any kind of car he wants, so he opted for this one,” said Magaya.
Hardrock fan Zivai Sambe, described Chahwanda as a visionary football leader who should be thanked for what he is doing for Kwekwe and Zimbabwean football club.
“Thanks to him, the city of Kwekwe can dream of big things including Premiership football and the chance to possibly see the national team here,” said Sambe.
“His vision is something we should treasure as a nation,” he added.
