Home General Corporatives foster hands to celebrate Gogo Shaya’s long life

Corporatives foster hands to celebrate Gogo Shaya’s long life

by BustopTV

By Tafadzwa Chigandiwa

LOCAL companies; Plymouth Wharf, Nyaradzo Group, Friends of the Warriors and Perfect Design joined hands together to remember and celebrate the long life of Gogo Francisco Shaya who is turning 94 years old this April.

Born on April 20 in 1927, Gogo Shaya is the mother of Zimbabwe’s football icons, George “Mastermind” Shaya the only player to win the Soccer Star of The Year accolade a record 5-times in the domestic league.

The corporates paid a visit to the Shaya residence in Harare’s Mbare suburb.

They donated a variety of gifts, only to put a smile on her face once again on International Womens Day.

This was meant to remind her that on the 30th of October in 1946 she gave birth to a superstar whom unfortunately a number of soccer lovers of the existing generation never got the chance to watch him.

Whats more painful is that the legendary soccer star who is currently 77-years-old got his right leg amputated in February 2019. Reports indicate that decades of inactivity resulted in him developing a severe medical condition.

Despite all this doom, the new generation showed that they still cherish, recall and honour her mother who played a vital role in providing a precious gift of life that turned to be a great footballer in Zimbabwe both at national and club level.

Mastermind as he was commonly known in the 1960s and 70s domestic league is still regarded as a hero in the local football terrain.

Speaking to Bustop TV, the event coordinator and an employee at Zimbabwe’s largest provider of telecommunications services, Econet Wireless, Martin Changachirere said the motive behind their visit was to glorify the life of the versatile former Dynamos FC player’s mother.

“It has always been our desire to pay homage to a mother who gave the nation arguably the best football player to grace our soccer stadia. That is excactly what motivated us to visit Gogo Shaya,” Changachirere said.

He also revealed that the call was also in connection with the celebrations of Nyaradzo Group 20th Annivesary together with the International Womens Day commemorations.

Futhermore, Changachirere acknowledged all the stakeholders who remembered the existence of gogo Shaya.

“The visit coincides with the world women day celebrations and Nyaradzo’s 20th Anniversary.

“Our appreciation goes to Nyaradzo Group CEO Mr Mataranyika for supporting this cause in a big way.We also thank Plymouth Wharf directors Tawana Mkwesha and Never Chinodakufa.

“The same goes to Bless It Up Motors, Aces Youth Academy, Perfect Designs and a host of Mbare football legends Henry Chari, Peter Manyara, Boniface Mukuruzo just to mention a few,” the event organiser told Bustop TV.

A group of Zimbabwe National Team supporters known as The Friends of the Warriors and Perfect Designs weighed in a replica jersey for gogo Shaya, whereas Nyaradzo Group also donated huge groceries and t-shirts.

Moreover, Bustop TV then interviewed George Shaya’s sister, Tete (Aunty) Shaya who is currently providing care for her mother.

Tete Shaya hailed the benevolence shown by the corporatives.

“All I can say is this was a blessing, me and the whole family we are very much thankful to those who decided to donate to our mother,” she said.

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