Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MARTIAL artist, Hebert Kasava, who lives in Odzi, has set sights on using his talent to fight rampant drug abuse in the peri-urban area through training and inspiring the youth to traverse the path he walked to recently attain a black belt.
The Odzi area has not been spared from the scourge of drug abuse as the illegal gold mining activities in the area exacerbated exposure of youths to illicit drugs and intoxicating substances.
However, Kasava, who recently attained the coveted black belt accolade in neighbouring Mozambique, said he has plans to lure youths to occupy themselves by learning the discipline-demanding martial arts sport.
“My aim in my career now is to teach others, and introduce this sport in Odzi, where young men and women take most of their time abusing drugs. I intend to use martial arts as a vehicle to promote healthy lifestyles, and shun drug abuse among youths. The interest to learn martial arts is there, and I think a qualified trainer like me is all that was lacking,” he said.
Kasava gave an account of how he attained the black belt.
“I completed my training to be a master of kung~fu, and was awarded with a black belt during an event that took place in Beira, Mozambique last Saturday.
“I started it when I was at primary school. I used to perform at school events until one of the guys liked my reflexes and offered me proper training in karate. So I decided to join the sport even though the guy later died, he had already inspired me to love to the sport,” he said.
His upbringing, which saw him move from one place to the other, did not deter him from pursuing his new passion.
“I met with different masters of different arts, and it took me time to get a black belt because of the consistent shift in places. However, this did not steal the zeal in me to keep training martial arts.
“Though I met different masters in my life, I was advised by Master Charles Sambare to pursue with one art at a time, and not to mix them. After I quit Sifu Leo Nyamukapa, I joined Mirror Academy in Mutare. I decided to go back to Wing Chun kung~fu, but Master Nyamukapa was now staying in Harare, and he had no time with me.
“Then I met this guy in Mozambique, Sifu Simiao Paial, the president of Wing Chun in Mozambique. I realised, it was better to pursue my martial arts career nearer home in Manica, Mozambique, than to migrate to Harare. That is what gave me the impetus to keep going, and be where I am today,” he said.
Kasava has different characters that inspired his career.
“I am always inspired by a number of people who came before me including Sifu Paial, Shihan Wilfred Mashaya, Sifu Leonard Nyamukapa, Master Knowledge Nyamhoka, Master Charles Sambare, Master Yipman as well as Master Wong,” he said.
