Big Dave: Meet the 'mission schoolboy' who does much more than play rugby

BY ENOCK MUCHINJO

HARARE – Far away from the constant buzz of city life, the countryside calmness of St John's High School Chikwaka is the perfect sanctuary for the school’s moto, “in pursuit of excellence.”

Over there, academic excellence is indeed non-negotiable. A very long list of alumni will testify of the wonderful education drummed into them down in the bushes of Goromonzi.

One of these proud ex-students is David Makamba – now a qualified industrial audiologist, holder of an Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and a Certified Cambridge teacher whose day job is teaching Mathematics at a top private school.

That’s not all. Another feather in the cap of 32-year-old Makamba is that he is a Zimbabwe national rugby team player, a key Africa Cup-winning member of the Sables. Quite remarkable for somebody who by his own self-description is at his best in the classroom.

But juggling stuff, with the help of a strong foundation of faith, was hardwired in his brain at St John’s Chikwaka.

“Man, I loved it there! It was a proper Anglican mission school,” Sables lock Makamba tells SportsCast in the middle of his busy schedule.

“I’m an academic first before I’m a rugger, so I excelled in my studies. Got seven As and three Bs then 14 points at A Level in MPC (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry)!”

Boarding school St John’s Chikwaka is situated in a village of Goromonzi District near Murewa, some 55.7km away from the capital city Harare.

Chikwaka has played rugby infrequently in the school's 53-year history. They had never produced any outstanding rugby player, let alone a national team star.

It was during one of those rare occasions, when St John’s Chikwaka managed to assemble a decent team, where rugby found Makamba. The school's 2011 deputy headboy and rugby co-captain has never looked back.

“There was some rugby at St John’s during my time, but I think it was just God showing me the future in a hopeless place for rugby,” remarks Makamba.

“It was at the Cottco Schools Rugby Festival in 2011 that (renowned coach) Mr Sykes Sibanda invited me to rugby after ‘rural boys’ displayed some good fight. And there the real journey started.”

That real journey started at Harare Sports Club, where Sibanda has coached for many years. Makamba would later move to cross-town rivals Old Hararians, developing into one of the most experienced players on Zimbabwe’s domestic rugby scene.

“Rugby was a calling for me,” he says. “My size and strength fit perfectly there and it was a challenge that I wanted to overcome. Besides shot put, there was little success for me on the sports side of things, growing up. My models since have been (Springbok locks) Bakkies Botha and Eben Etzebeth. And several local odd-shaped men (…chuckles).”

Standing 2m tall, ever-smiling “Big Dave” is a towering figure in the Sables second row, known for his strength and tactful line-out calls. On the last one, he recorded 100 percent success against UAE on the Sables' end of year tour last season.

“I think my main strengths are brains, scrummaging and line-out jumping – which I developed late in my career,” Makamba says.

“And just good raw power in attack and defence. I have a secret love for cleaning out rucks. I call myself Handy Andy! (…laughs).”

Makamba has been capped 10 times by Zimbabwe, playing in all three games on the Sables’ way to win the Africa Cup in Uganda last year. President Emmerson Mnangagwa hosted a celebratory banquet for the team at State House, and awarded prize money to each member of the squad.

David Makamba shares a light moment with President Mnangagwa at the banquet.

“The journey to becoming a Sable has been nothing short of God’s grace and glory,” says Makamba.

 “I’ve been around the set up for a long time, but I only got my first cap in the 2021 Africa Cup. I’ve scored two tries, and an Africa Cup title for the badge. Man, I will die proud and honoured! Shaking President ED’s hand tops my best year in rugby in 2024.”

If Zimbabwe retain their Africa Cup title in Uganda next month, they will automatically qualify for the 2027 World Cup, which will be a first appearance at the global showcase for the Sables since 1991.

That run of form has got Zimbabwe’s tails up going into the qualifiers in Kampala, but Makamba says the team is remaining grounded.  

“We’re all maintaining our calm and focus,” he comments.

“We’re going one day at a time, making sure we are prepared technically, physically and especially mentally. We trust our preparations and process from the last 15 months or so. We will qualify and the future of ZimRugby is bright. The Sables are a tight-knit family. Our gaffer, Piet Benade, has done his best to highlight the common goals and how we get there, together. We are so grateful that in so many ways, the environment is better for players, hence the solid cohesion.”

The last-born child in a family of six, Makamba grew up in Msasa Park, Harare, attending Widdecombe Primary School. He had a thirst for knowledge and education from a young age.

It is unsurprising therefore that his full-time job is as a teacher at the prestigious St John’s College in Harare.

“I love what I do at St John’s College,” says Makamba. “The heart of a man makes plans, but the Lord directs his paths. I do my part and I believe I’m in the place I’m needed now.”

David Makamba coaches the St John's second team.

Besides teaching Makamba also coaches the St John's 2nd XV, the Bullets, and he is the head of rugby for the John's ECD.

David Makamba makes a speech at the St John's Prep awards ceremony, where he was guest of honour.

Being a teacher and a rugby player at the same time create some light moments, sometimes at Makamba’s expense.

During a club match last year, Makamba played on the opposite sides with one of his pupils, PK Manyakara. Probably to avenge for some tough homework at school, young PK had several collisions against his teacher, drawing a humorous remark from Makamba after the game that he would report the student to the headmaster for his on-field aggression.

Replying if he made good his threats, Makamba chuckles heartily: “Oh yes, I’m a man of my word! Cav. Corrado Trinci (St John’s headmaster) is fully aware!”

Trust Big Dave to do something like that. But many of his Sables teammates have fallen victim of Makamba’s tricks, believing no Maths teacher could be mischievous.   

“Pranks worked so well because the boys wouldn’t suspect me,” laughs Makamba.

David Makamba in Zimbabwe colours.

“Now they already know before we do our thing! Ghost (Brian Nyaude), Aiden Burnett and Kudzai Mashawi are all in the cabal. Aiden has children on the team, Ghost is the crucifier and Mashawi enforces the nonsense! All off the field of course!”