What’s in a name? Hard life tale of top footballer

Community News
WHEN CAPS United utility player, Hardlife Zvirekwi lost his passport in Kenya, while in transit to Guinea this year, a Malawian football consultant posted on his Facebook wall jokingly referring to Zvirekwi as “Hard ‘knocks’ Life.”

WHEN CAPS United utility player, Hardlife Zvirekwi lost his passport in Kenya, while in transit to Guinea this year, a Malawian football consultant posted on his Facebook wall jokingly referring to Zvirekwi as “Hard ‘knocks’ Life.”

BY DALPHINE TAGWIREYI

His jibe derived from the idiomatic phrase “School of Hard Knocks”, explains how the harsh realities in life make one wise and stronger.

Just like his name, Zvirekwi experienced a “hard life” as he was stranded for 26 hours at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International airport without any money, food and blankets.

He only managed to return home after Zimbabwean Embassy officials in Nairobi secured him an emergency travelling document.

“When I lost my passport, the burden of my name came to mind and I felt that maybe it [name] had come back to haunt me, because I was in a foreign country and knew no one there. However, I came out of the ordeal stronger,” said Zvirekwi.

The 26-year-old’s name can be counted among those like Nhamo, Netsai, Whatnot, Kisnote, Lucifer, Maybe, Nobody, Killer and Judas — names that are loaded with negativity and usually given to children during times of family crises.

“Hardlife is a name that my father gave me because I was born during a time when things were tough for him,” he explained.

Zvirekwi said after the death of his father 10 years ago, his life became a tale of trials, pain and misfortune. This prompted his mother in 2004 to try and banish the tribulations, by christening him Daniel.

“After a sermon at church about the meanings of names, my mother decided to change my name from Hardlife to Daniel,” said Zvirekwi. “My family and close friends call me by that Christian name. I see the hand of God and turn of fortunes in my life.”

Zvirekwi finally found his passport almost three weeks later after it was sent to Juba, South Sudan, and is now enjoying a purple patch in football, as a full international and vital cog in coach Ian Gorowa’s side.

A devout Christian, Zvirekwi tied the knot to Saru Maromo at a colourful wedding three months ago, and the couple is expecting their first child soon.

The name Hardlife seems to be popular among public figures in Zimbabwe, probably because of the difficult experiences that many families have gone through in the past two decades.

There is another footballer, Hardlife Mavundi, formerly with FC Platinum and now with Chicken Inn, as well as Alpha Media Holdings photojournalist, Hardlife Samuwi.

Samuwi said his late father named him Hardlife because of the torrid time he experienced during the liberation struggle.

“My father said that he was influenced by hard times he experienced during the war of liberation,” said Samuwi.” He used to say that it was a difficult era and he was thankful to be alive [then] hence the motivation of the name Hardlife. Though I am a born free, it showed that my father was still traumatised by events that took place during the war.”

But Samuwi hates his name with a passion, and has christened himself Sean Chamvari Samuwi on social networks.

“Permissible, I would have changed my name long back. However, my parents are no longer alive, hence it has proven to be a little difficult for me,” said Samuwi.