‘Heart-breaking and unexpected’: Fundraising for Zim rugby star who suffered heart-attack and stroke
- vimbayi makwavarara
- May 27
- 3 min read
Updated: May 28
BY ENOCK MUCHINJO
HARARE – Three things stand out for Shingi Katsvere.
First, of course, is that he plays rugby, and he is very good at it.
He’s an extremely likeable and charming fellow, very respectful of others as well, a good guy that everyone wishes good luck and good fortune.
Third, Katsvere wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth, something he always talk about because he is an authentic man who is not ashamed of where he comes from.
He hails from Mbare, a township of Harare, established way back in 1907 to house black labour in the then colony. It’s today one of the Zimbabwean capital’s most impoverished neighbourhoods, yet one of its greatest talent hubs.
Who wouldn’t have been pleased then, all things considered, when Katsvere earned a move to play rugby in France two years ago?
He turns out for Club Rugby Auxerre, in the lower leagues of the French professional rugby system.
Club Rugby Auxerre is an old club somewhere in there in the set-up. They don’t belong to the French Top 14, the most lucrative domestic competition in world rugby, where Katsvere’s fellow countryman and namesake Shingi Manyarara struts his stuff.
But Katsvere has been able to earn a decent living as a semi-professional sportsman in France, also enabling him to help out members of his family back home in Zimbabwe, who include his ex-footballer father.
Two weeks ago, however, life appeared to come full circle for 28-year-old Katsvere.
After two years, the versatile backline player returned to national duty for Zimbabwe’s national side, the Sables.
He featured in the Sables' two "friendly" matches this May, first against Zambia, with Zimbabwe winning big 70-15. Then the following weekend came another comfortable win, 80-12 over Botswana on 10 May. It was part of the Zimbabweans’ preparations for an important World Cup qualification tournament in Uganda in July.
As Katsvere was packing his bags to fly back to France after the Botswana game, he suffered a major heart attack and a stroke, confining him to a medical centre in Harare ever since.
“It’s a heartbreaking and unexpected event for someone so young and full of life,” reads a GoFundMe message for a launched campaign.
“This sudden crisis has led to him facing a long, difficult road to recovery.”
The fundraising efforts for Katsvere’s medical rehabilitation are led by Kisset Chirengende, a member of the Zimbabwe national team’s welfare arm, the Sables Trust.
The Sables Trust and the governing body of the sport in the country, the Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU), have footed the bills since Katsvere’s misfortune a fortnight ago.
“We’re reaching out with heavy hearts and hopeful spirits to support someone very special to us, Shingi Katsvere, a bright, determined 28-year-old athlete whose life was forever changed on 10 May, 2025.
“Please consider donating and sharing this campaign with your network. Your support, whether financial, emotional, or through spreading the word can help give Shingi a fighting chance to reclaim his life and independence. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with Shingi. Your kindness, prayers, and generosity mean more than words can express. Let’s help Shingi get back on his feet stronger than ever.”
Within five hours of the GoFundMe campaign being posted this evening, whose link we have shared below, US$5 079 had already been donated. This article may constantly be updated to capture latest figures.
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