However, unlike most properties in this neighbourhood, you have to either phone the owner or hoot while waiting outside to get the attention since the intercom has been removed.
Prior to the interview, World Cup bound batsman and wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu, one of the most popular faces in local sport had told this journalist that he had removed his intercom.
True to his word, the 5ft 5 inches tall player was there to manually open the gate and welcome us to his mansion and immediately showed us where to park our car.
However, something immediately struck me as we were ushered into the Taibu home.
That magnificent swimming pool that used to be a marvel is now history. Instead it has been filled and a well-manicured lawn and some mango trees now occupy the place.
Also bowing its head as if pleading to the master are the remains of a decaying digital satellite dish. It is also very clear that the cables have also been removed.
Even the man himself has changed. For everything he says, he gives reference to the Bible, a far cry from that old Tatenda who earned a bad boy image after being dragged to court for assaulting a Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) official some years back.
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As we were ushered into the living room, I could also not help noticing that, save for the four piece black leather sofas and a couch, there was no Hi-Fi, plasma or television set.
I am god’s disciple —Taibu
The inscription in the Taibus’ living room sums up the metamorphosis that the family has gone through; “The choice had been made. There is no looking back. I have stepped over the line. I won’t let up, or shut up. My focus is clear, my path straight, My God reliable, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.”
Is wicketkeeper Taibu broke? wicketkeeperbroke?
what greets you in the house are portraits of Jesus Christ glaring at you from the wall, messages in praise of God and a sculpture of an eagle, which Taibu describes as his inspiration.
Taibu then introduced us to his wife Loveness; a fulltime housewife whose maid comes three times a week. She quickly served us orange juice.The Taibus appeared to have been reading the Bible to their two kids Tatenda (Jnr) and seven-month-old Gershom Paul.
But what has happened to the brother and sister known for their penchant for bling-bling? Why are they living such a modest life? Are they broke or has something happened to them?
“I have achieved everything in life my brother and one thing that I am trying to achieve is the salvation of my soul. I was the first black captain in the country. The youngest Test captain in the history of the sport and also the first local player to score two century against South Africa, but that was not enough.
“I realised that I had to find satisfaction somewhere else and I am happy I have found it in God. Through him the sky is the limit for me and my family.
“When I was growing up I used to think that success meant having money, a good wife and family, but that is wrong,” said Taibu, a member of the Eagle Eye Tabernacle who travels to Gweru every Sunday to worship. But does that mean discarding the television, sealing the swimming pool and leasing part of his house?
For his answer he quoted Matthew 6 verses 19 and 20, which read; “Do not store up yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy. …..But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy…”
“We decided to do away with those things as they were taking away too much of our time to worship God. Our new faith does not allow us to watch television. Television also takes away one’s time to worship God and besides, there is too much nudity on television. Furthermore, there are no more holidays for the family,” he said.
Tatenda’s faith seems to be rubbing on to his child Tatenda (Jnr) who throughout the interview was playing catch with a ball. The young boy talked about his desire to become a preacher when he grows up.
Taibu has also taken it upon himself to give his seven-month-old son Gershom Paul two biblical names to remind the boy of his faith.“I named him Gershom after the first son of the biblical Moses and we all know about Paul the apostle,” he said.
Taibu — Tibbly to his pals, also spoke on the team’s preparations for the forthcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup in the sub-continent and his days playing for Kolkata Nightriders in the Indian Premier League.
