Permanent ban: Headmaster and ex-wicketkeeper ‘stumps’ gun-toting parent

By SportsCast Writer

HARARE – Donald Campbell, the headmaster of Lilfordia School and young brother of former Zimbabwe cricket captain Alistair Campbell, has announced a permanent campus ban on parent Lotshe Mangena following his involvement in a disturbing violent incident at another school where one of his children is also a learner.

Police on Tuesday announced the arrest of 50-year-old Mangena after he stormed a rugby pitch at Eaglesvale High School while threateningly brandishing a firearm at the conclusion of a match between the hosts and visiting Christian Brothers College (CBC) from Bulawayo.

Mangena – the son of the late Zimbabwean liberation war hero and military commander Alfred Nikita Mangena – was reportedly angered by on-field taunts towards the CBC team, on which his son is a player. He’s said to have assaulted one of the Eaglesvale players and a match official after the hosts had won a closely-contested match 14-13.

Following the news of his arrest, the first disciplinary measure has been taken Wednesday by Lilfordia, a top private boarding primary school located in the village of Nyabira, 34-km north-west of Harare.

Mangena is also a parent there.

“Your actions over the weekend at Eaglesvale School involving the assault of a pupil, the assault of an official, and the wielding of a weapon with malicious intent, have violated every aspect of the Lilfordia School Parental Code of Conduct as well as all policies regarding Parental conduct circulated by the ATS,” wrote headmaster Campbell to Mangena.

Campbell added that Mangena’s “actions represent a severe and unacceptable threat to safeguarding within our community” and that the “safety, security and emotional well-being of our students, staff and faculty are our absolute priorities.”

The school therefore swiftly reached the decision of a “permanent campus ban” which prohibits Mangena from “entering any part of Lilfordia School campus, including all buildings, sports fields, parking lots, and off-site school-sponsored events.”

While Mangena’s child is permitted to continue attending the school, the father isn’t allowed to carry out school runs or come anywhere near the school. The school said any violations of the ban terms by Mangena will result in the expulsion of the innocent child.

Lilfordia School – established in 1909 and named after a couple and co-founders Agnes and Atherton Lilford – is one of Zimbabwe’ most prestigious junior schools.

For decades, it has been a family-run business, administered by the Campbells.

The current headmaster’s father Iain Campbell is also a past headmaster of the school. Mother Letitia is a long-time administrator of the school while the two brothers’ sister Mary is the Sports Director.

Lilfordia, which fondly calls itself the “little school in the bush”, is notable for producing top-class Zimbabwean cricket players.

Brothers Alistair and Donald Campbell were schooled there while the likes of Trevor Madondo, Brendan Taylor and Malcolm Waller came through years later and were all coached by Iain Campbell.

Interestingly, after completing junior school at Lilfordia, Alistair (53) and Donald progressed to Eaglesvale High School, the scene of Mangena’s moment of madness last Saturday.

In the mid to late 90s, the now 51-year-old Donald Campbell was regarded heir apparent to Andy Flower as Zimbabwe’s wicketkeeper before a much younger Tatenda Taibu emerged onto the scene to grab that place at the turn of the millennium.

The younger Campbell bowed out without any international cricket under his belt, however with 53 first-class and 14 List A games to his name.

Lilfordia, though, has continued to churn out more cricketers. Johnathan and Matthew Campbell, Alistair’s sons, are two of the brightest prospects in Zimbabwean cricket at the moment with the former having already added his name to a special list of players who captained their country on Test debut.

The school has also groomed stars from other sporting disciplines. Last December in Morocco, 16-year-old Zimbabwean footballer Tadiwanashe Chakuchichi, a Lilfordia ex-pupil, became the youngest player in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.