Aston Villa Midfielder Nakamba To Help Youths, Poor Children In Zimbabwe

Posted by Daniel Jones African News, Featured, Latest Headlines, Sports News Monday, June 21st, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Zimbabwe international midfielder Marvelous Nakamba who plays for English Premier League’s Aston Villa midfielder has charmed President Mnangagwa with his philanthropic work.

The 21-year-old Hwange born who made a historic move to the EPL club and had a momentous season, met President Mnangagwa at State House in the capital where the Head of State urged youths in the country to emulate the England based soccer player.

Nakamba was accompanied by Dexter Blackstock, a former Nottingham Forest player.

“A pleasure and a privilege to speak to one of Zimbabwe’s brightest young talents. Hard working, empathetic and with an unwavering love for his country – all of Zimbabwe’s children should look up to Nakamba,” said President Mnangagwa on his official Twitter handle.

Nakamba has since registered the Marvelous Nakamba Foundation (MNF) whose aim is to help vulnerable children from disadvantaged communities including paying school fees for children across the country.

He is working on formally registering a private voluntary organisation, Marvelous Nakamba Association as a Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO).

The association will be there to empower Zimbabwean youth with health and life skills through football and education, a rare initiative by an athlete.

Under the new association, Nakamba aims to promote the inclusion of orphans and vulnerable children in sports in particular soccer through establishment of soccer academies, to promote the socio-economic status of orphans and vulnerable children.

This will be realised by linking youths with foreign youth academies to enhance their exposure and opportunities.

The association will also seek to source funding for health care of orphans and vulnerable children through proceeds from soccer.

Nakamba has so far been paying school fees for 1 000 pupils in selected schools across Zimbabwe under the Marvelous Nakamba Foundation’s Education Assistance Plan.

Founded in 2019, the foundation targets to help 100 000 pupils in Zimbabwe by December and 1 million pupils in four years’ time.

The player has also been rolling out soccer tournaments.

On Thursday, Nakamba, who played for Highlanders juniors and later Bantu Rovers which gave him a Premiership debut, met President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House in Harare.