Husky, huge, yet anything but a beast, the Sharks prop Tendai Mtawarira has a side as charming and beguiling as his secret sweet tooth. And chilling at home when he gets the chance, with wife Kuziva, and a brand new baby, it’s a sweet time indeed for this family.
ANDRE FIORE: Rumour has it you got your nickname when you were around nine years old?
BEAST: Yes, that’s when I started playing rugby at school. Rugby wasn’t a first love, but it grew on me quickly enough, and they started calling me Beast around then.
AF: Because of your size and strength?
BEAST: Well, probably also because I could get a little rough. I was a bit naughty back then, just one of those growing up kind of things.
AF: And why did you come to South Africa?
BEAST: We used to come here quite a lot on school rugby tours from Zimbabwe, and then eight years ago I was scouted by The Sharks Academy. It was the beginning of a dream come true for me. I had always followed the Sharks and really liked what they were doing.
AF: Another dream come true seems to be your wife…
BEAST: Yes, my mother told me I’d like Kuziva! My mom thought that she was the girl for me, and as I really trust my mom, I phoned her up. We chatted a lot and way before I actually got to meet her three months later, I knew she was the one! We were engaged a week after we met, married around a year later and now we’re really so thrilled with our daughter and so excited about the start of our family.
AF: And you’re settled in La Lucia?
BEAST: Yes, and we love it here. We have a free standing home here, it’s very central, it takes me just five minutes to get to training, it’s close to the beach, and we love living near the Mall.
AF: So you enjoy shopping?
BEAST: Well, my wife does, and yes, I do often go with her.
AF: A modern man, what other things do you enjoy when you’re not playing rugby?
BEAST: The beach, movies, and spending time in the bush.
AF: What’s important about a home for you?
BEAST: It’s important that my home is a safe and secure place for my family as I’m away a lot, and I have Fidelity Security to thank for this. Also, I like my couches comfortable! Down time for me includes watching good movies – no, not a lot of rugby – and being comfortable at home.
The Ridge magazine spoke to Sharks and Springbok flyer Odwa Ndungane about life, love, business and his recent marriage to the beautiful Kgomotso.
AF: Can you tell us about your other business projects?
BEAST: I’m currently studying a BComm Marketing through Unisa, and I’m joining up soon with Mark Taylor of éLan. I’ll be involved in the Manor Estates development in the Ballito area. It’s a very attractive project and I’m really looking forward to getting into it. Property has always been a passion of mine, and having Mark as a friend and a partner is a blessing.
AF: Where do you see yourself settling?
BEAST: We are very happy where we are at the moment, and Durban is pretty much home, but we’ll probably move north to Manor Estate sometime in the future.
AF: Your plans going forward rugby-wise?
BEAST: I am settled here in South Africa, I have no intention of going overseas, and my dream is just to be able to go on playing with the Sharks, playing for my country and to continue to give back to my personal sponsors who play a key role in my rugby career: Puma, Bic, Danone, éLan, Outsurance and Fidelity Security.
AF: Two things the public doesn’t know about you?
BEAST: I love my food – I really appreciate my wife’s cooking – and have two Staffies which I treat as though they are my babies!
AF: Pet hate?
BEAST: Doggy doo!
AF: Kitchen cupboard treat?
BEAST: Jelly jubes.
AF: Biggest weakness?
BEAST: Dessert, I’m not supposed to have it! But aah chocolate brownies!
Pictures: Jacques Naude