Karting's sweetheart

By Grace Chirumanzu

Tanya Muzinda gives her salute. Picture by Grace Chirumanzu

Tanya Muzinda’s march to the podium has left many boys weeping at Harare’s Donnybrook motor racing circuit.

Defeat is always a bitter pill to swallow in any sport, but the defeat by a girl in a male dominated motorsport boys and men have believed to be their territory, is unbearable to most boys.

But “girls can also do it”, Tanya appeared to have declared by her salute from her red kart during a training session last Thursday.

“I remember the first time I went to buy her a bike for motocross, the man who sold it to me did so gladly encouraging me to bring my daughter to the race so that his son who had always been last could have someone behind him during races. But guess who she beat when she first raced?” Her proud father, Tawanda Muzinda laughed as he explained, “I have heard little boys arguing that she is a boy each time she beats them and her short hair seems to confirm it for them.”

It was Muzinda’s friend, a big name in motorsport, Big Chitima who encouraged him to introduce his child to the sport about two years ago. Chitima however did not know his friend’s eldest child was a girl and she has lived more than to the expectations of many so far, making good friends with Chitima’s seven-year-old son, Big Junior “B.J”.

Tanya, who is yet to turn eight years this year, is a Grade Three student at Eaglesvale School. Her ability to ride a manual Honda 50cc bike in the Peewee category whose most competitors use auto bikes has amazed her father.

She is currently second on the riders’ standings out of 10 competitors. Being the only girl has made her the centre of attraction as she inspires other little girls of her age.

“She is a brave girl. The way she is organized and determined is just amazing. She gives me a reason to empower women. It is at this age they need to know that nothing can stop them just because they are girls. If she can beat the boys she knows nothing can stop her,” said Muzinda.

“It takes a lot of sacrifices in this sport. I want her to grow up to be a professional woman and be a champion. This will take the determination from us as her parents and the help from the corporate world through sponsorship.”

It is the expenses of the equipment and the resources required in this elite sport that has scared many away. The costs of the karts’ imported spare parts alone can be a nightmare.

“I bought her first bike for $2 000 and the whole kit for $900 not because I had so much money to spare but because I had made her a promise, which she kept reminding me every day. You do such sacrifices with eyes closed knowing that it will leave you into poverty, but it always come to pass and the investment one will have put in her kid will live forever,” explained Muzinda.

Apart from her own father, Tanya has the support of her coach Scott Kim and friend B.J. They have made Donnybrook their home for sport and leisure hanging out after practice.

This weekend the home for motorsport will be filled with activities as youngsters compete in motocross and kart races.

Tanya will wear her red costume and helmet for a date in the karts tomorrow with his father hoping to see her poking some more tears in the eyes of her young male opponents.

“She has only been practicing with the karts for three months now and she has shown great improvement. Her time at the beginning was 1minute eight seconds and she has come down to 55seconds,” he said. “It will be great if she keeps improving.”