Mantas Tennis Academy, Zimbabwe
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PLEASE DONATE TO THE MANTAS TENNIS ACADEMY PROGRAM
Mantas Tennis Academy is in need of your support to continue its mission of creating avenues for success for Zimbabwean youth through tennis. As you know, the country of Zimbabwe is facing a severe economic and humanitarian crisis. A recent UN study has found poverty has reached unprecedented levels with more than 70% of Zimbabwean children in rural areas living in poverty.
Donations are needed to complete a much needed initiative to resurface their 8 all-weather tennis courts. Four have been repaired through the generous donations of Zimbabwe families, but four remain in disrepair. There are no funds remaining to complete the project. Funds are also needed to maintain operations and defray costs of coaching, tournament travel, tennis racquets, shoes, tennis balls and equipment. Many children can’t pay the nominal fee to attend the program.
"Guys, we've got to get this done!" -Kudakwashe Nembaware
Many of you may know or have been touched by a Mantas graduate. Our family has had the privilege of being coached by Brian Pindura, Genius Chidzikwe and Pfungwa Mahefu, three graduates of the Academy. They placed racquets in each of our three children’s hands, developed them as competitive tennis players and continue to serve as role models. Inspired by his coaches, our son went on to play college tennis. Please join us in making a donation to Mantas Tennis Academy and help build a better future for the children of Zimbabwe.
WHAT IS THE MANTAS TENNIS ACADEMY?
Mantas Tennis Academy was founded in 2000. It is the torchbearer of talent identification and development in Zimbabwe. Mantas Tennis Academy is the first ever fully fledged tennis academy in the country with an academy residence housing upcoming tennis talents from all provinces of Zimbabwe. The organization oversees a development program for underprivileged children at 10 local schools which brings tennis to over 2500 children weekly.
MISSION AND BACKGROUND
Mantas Academy’s mission is to impact every young athlete’s life in a positive and nurturing way by providing positive role models, leadership skills, and consistent encouragement to be the best one can be. Its goal is to be accessible to children from all walks of life and instill a lifelong passion for physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social well-being through the sport of tennis.
Over the years, the program has seen that the majority of its best and hardest working players are children who come from underprivileged households who would otherwise not be able to afford to play the game of tennis. The center was established to help those children from marginalized communities receive high level coaching and realize their potential. Mantas has produced nationally, regionally and internationally recognized players and developed players that have played Division 1 NCAA college tennis, Davis Cup and Junior Grand Slams.
Coach Brian Pindura runs a King and Queen of the court drill:
By developing high performance tennis juniors, Mantas has played a crucial role in allowing hundreds of children to fulfill their academic careers abroad, become professional tennis players and/or professional tennis coaches. It is the Academy’s philosophy to help build Zimbabwe’s young generation, provide hope for the country’s future and open other doors and avenues through excellence on and off the tennis court.
Rising Star Tanatswa's favorite tennis player is Angelique Kerber...
Rising Star Michael wants to go to college and become a professional tennis player...
ANN MARTIN, FOUNDER & TENNIS ZIMBABWE
Mantas grew out of a Tennis Zimbabwe development program started in 1989. The Academy was founded by former Tennis Zimbabwe President, Ann Pearson Martin. She has dedicated her life to the development of the game and has had a positive impact on young, marginalized Zimbabweans. Even in a country plagued by political strife, government land seizures and constant economic instability, the Martin family persevered to make a difference to thousands of children across the country over two decades. Now with Ms. Martin's retirement, the Academy is in need of your support.
PLEASE DONATE & PASS THE MANTAS GOFUNDME LINK ON!
Again, the Academy is in need of your support to continue its mission of creating avenues for success for Zimbabwean youth through tennis.
Donations are needed to complete a much needed initiative to resurface their 8 all-weather tennis courts. Four have been repaired through the generous donations of Zimbabwe families, but four remain in disrepair. There are no funds remaining to complete the project. Funds are also needed to maintain operations and defray costs of coaching, tournament travel, tennis racquets, shoes, tennis balls and equipment. Many children can’t pay the nominal fee to attend the program.
Help us raise at least $30,000 for Mantas Tennis Academy. Your donation will build a better future for the children of Zimbabwe. 100% of funds, minus GoFundMe fee, will go to Mantas Tennis Academy. Donations are not tax deductible.
PROOF THAT MANTAS PROGRAM WORKS
Pauline Chawafambira, pictured below, started playing tennis when she was 8 years old. She attended Mantas for 6 years. During her junior tennis career from from 10-18 years old, she was the highest ranked female tennis player in Zimbabwe. She represented Zimbabwe in under 13 and under 18 circuits, AJC, etc. Pauline represented Zimbabwe in the 2010 All Africa Games in 2010 and 2015. She achieved an ITF Junior ranking of 221 and was awarded the ACCAC Player of the Year award and ITA All American in 2016 . She received a full tennis scholarship to Eastern Arizona College. Today, Pauline works as a Tablaeu developer in Oakbrook, IL.
Genius Chidzikwe, pictured below, is one of Mantas' first graduates. He played D1 tennis for Southern Methodist University (SMU) from 1999 - 2001. In December 2000, he was ranked as the NCAA Division 1, Men's # 1 collegiate tennis player in the United States. He helped SMU reach the NCAA final four tournament playing number 1 singles in 2001. After college he went on to compete on the pro tour reaching a career high singles ranking of 380. Genius served as a member of the Zimbabwe Davis Cup team for 10 years starting as one of the youngest members in the team at age 16. He is the current Director of Racquets at The Weston Golf Club in Weston, Massachusetts and is a top 20 APTA ranked national paddle player. Genius also serves as a member of the APTA National Players Committee and is an APTA Certification Tester. Genius is the co-director of the Boston Open Grand Prix Paddle Tournament.
Munashe Makuni started playing tennis at the age of 8. At the age of 14, she was recruited to Mantas where not only her tennis skills improved, but her grades as well, graduating first in her class. She represented Zimbabwe during ITF circuits and traveled to several countries. From 2007 - 2008, Munashe ranked #1 in the country. In 2008, she was offered a full tennis scholarship to study Accounting at Prairie View A&M University. Two years later, she transferred to Clark Atlanta University in Georgia and there, earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Accounting. Awards include, SIAC Conference Title, SIAC Player of the Year and Tournament MVP in 2011. In 2012 she became a Graduate Assistant Coach. Currently, she works as a Senior Accountant in Boston, Massachusetts.
Rutendo Matingo started playing tennis at Mantas in 2002 and was ranked #2 nationally in the 12s, 14s, 16s boys singles and #1 in doubles. Rutendo won 6 medals at ITF tournaments in Southern Africa. He moved to Canada in 2009 to reunite with family and subsequently moved to Boston to pursue tennis full time. While in school, he helped win the 2011 Massachusetts State Championship at Weston High School (only team in school history to win the title while undefeated). He was captain of the tennis team at Dexter Academy and captained the Trinity College Men’s Tennis Team in 2017 - four year top 2 player on the team. He graduated college in 2017 with a degree in Political Science and Spanish. After graduating from Trinity, he was an Assistant Manager at the Four Seasons Boston and Four Seasons Toronto and is now pursuing a global masters in hospitality through EHL in Switzerland. Rutendo featured in EHL promotional video
Admire Mushonga began playing tennis at Mantas Tennis Academy from age 8 to 12 before moving to South Africa to train at the ITF Training Center. He represented Zimbabwe in the Davis Cup and was ranked as high as 147 in the world in juniors. Admire played for Florida A&M University. Currently, he works as the Head Tennis Pro at The Country Club of Brookline in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts and is a Top 20 nationally ranked paddle tennis player.
Alywn Mushonga started playing tennis at the age of 4 and joined Mantas Tennis Academy at the age of 5. He began representing Zimbabwe when he was 10 y.o., winning his first international tournament at the 12 and Under African Circuit in South Africa. He also represented Zimbabwe in the World Junior Championships in Cairo, Egypt at the age of 14. Alywn was ranked #1 in Zimbabwe in all age groups through Under 18's. After junior tennis, Alywn was offered a full D1 scholarship at Eastern Florida State College and ranked #5 in the nation. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Economics in 2020. Today, he is the Assistant Tennis Pro at the Weston Golf Club in Massachusetts.
Mbonisi Ndimande, pictured above, attended Mantas Tennis Academy and rose to prominence as a junior. He ranked #52 in the World Junior Rankings and played Wimbledon and The Australian Open Junior Grand Slam. He played Davis Cup for Zimbabwe in 2009. After graduating from Mantas, he was recruited to play Division 1 tennis at The University of California at Santa Barbara where he played #1 singles.
Lerato Ndvolu, pictured above, was a student at Mantas and recruited to play D1 tennis at Prairie View A&M University in Texas. During her college tennis career, she served as captain since her sophomore year, played 1st singles and 1st doubles and was awarded MVP 3 out of her 4 years. She received a Bachelor's degree in 2013 and a Masters in 2015 with a degree in accounting.
Brian Pindura (2nd boy from left) pictured above with Pfungwa Mahefu (boy on right), was previously the Head Pro at Mantas from 2004 - 2008 and coached the Zimbabwe National Junior Team. Prior to that, he was a top ranked national junior tennis player. Currently, he is the Head Tennis Pro at Braeburn Country Club in Newton, MA.
Mantas Tennis Academy is in need of your support to continue its mission of creating avenues for success for Zimbabwean youth through tennis. As you know, the country of Zimbabwe is facing a severe economic and humanitarian crisis. A recent UN study has found poverty has reached unprecedented levels with more than 70% of Zimbabwean children in rural areas living in poverty.
Donations are needed to complete a much needed initiative to resurface their 8 all-weather tennis courts. Four have been repaired through the generous donations of Zimbabwe families, but four remain in disrepair. There are no funds remaining to complete the project. Funds are also needed to maintain operations and defray costs of coaching, tournament travel, tennis racquets, shoes, tennis balls and equipment. Many children can’t pay the nominal fee to attend the program.
"Guys, we've got to get this done!" -Kudakwashe Nembaware
Many of you may know or have been touched by a Mantas graduate. Our family has had the privilege of being coached by Brian Pindura, Genius Chidzikwe and Pfungwa Mahefu, three graduates of the Academy. They placed racquets in each of our three children’s hands, developed them as competitive tennis players and continue to serve as role models. Inspired by his coaches, our son went on to play college tennis. Please join us in making a donation to Mantas Tennis Academy and help build a better future for the children of Zimbabwe.
WHAT IS THE MANTAS TENNIS ACADEMY?
Mantas Tennis Academy was founded in 2000. It is the torchbearer of talent identification and development in Zimbabwe. Mantas Tennis Academy is the first ever fully fledged tennis academy in the country with an academy residence housing upcoming tennis talents from all provinces of Zimbabwe. The organization oversees a development program for underprivileged children at 10 local schools which brings tennis to over 2500 children weekly.
MISSION AND BACKGROUND
Mantas Academy’s mission is to impact every young athlete’s life in a positive and nurturing way by providing positive role models, leadership skills, and consistent encouragement to be the best one can be. Its goal is to be accessible to children from all walks of life and instill a lifelong passion for physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social well-being through the sport of tennis.
Over the years, the program has seen that the majority of its best and hardest working players are children who come from underprivileged households who would otherwise not be able to afford to play the game of tennis. The center was established to help those children from marginalized communities receive high level coaching and realize their potential. Mantas has produced nationally, regionally and internationally recognized players and developed players that have played Division 1 NCAA college tennis, Davis Cup and Junior Grand Slams.
Coach Brian Pindura runs a King and Queen of the court drill:
By developing high performance tennis juniors, Mantas has played a crucial role in allowing hundreds of children to fulfill their academic careers abroad, become professional tennis players and/or professional tennis coaches. It is the Academy’s philosophy to help build Zimbabwe’s young generation, provide hope for the country’s future and open other doors and avenues through excellence on and off the tennis court.
Rising Star Tanatswa's favorite tennis player is Angelique Kerber...
Rising Star Michael wants to go to college and become a professional tennis player...
ANN MARTIN, FOUNDER & TENNIS ZIMBABWE
Mantas grew out of a Tennis Zimbabwe development program started in 1989. The Academy was founded by former Tennis Zimbabwe President, Ann Pearson Martin. She has dedicated her life to the development of the game and has had a positive impact on young, marginalized Zimbabweans. Even in a country plagued by political strife, government land seizures and constant economic instability, the Martin family persevered to make a difference to thousands of children across the country over two decades. Now with Ms. Martin's retirement, the Academy is in need of your support.
PLEASE DONATE & PASS THE MANTAS GOFUNDME LINK ON!
Again, the Academy is in need of your support to continue its mission of creating avenues for success for Zimbabwean youth through tennis.
Donations are needed to complete a much needed initiative to resurface their 8 all-weather tennis courts. Four have been repaired through the generous donations of Zimbabwe families, but four remain in disrepair. There are no funds remaining to complete the project. Funds are also needed to maintain operations and defray costs of coaching, tournament travel, tennis racquets, shoes, tennis balls and equipment. Many children can’t pay the nominal fee to attend the program.
Help us raise at least $30,000 for Mantas Tennis Academy. Your donation will build a better future for the children of Zimbabwe. 100% of funds, minus GoFundMe fee, will go to Mantas Tennis Academy. Donations are not tax deductible.
PROOF THAT MANTAS PROGRAM WORKS
Pauline Chawafambira, pictured below, started playing tennis when she was 8 years old. She attended Mantas for 6 years. During her junior tennis career from from 10-18 years old, she was the highest ranked female tennis player in Zimbabwe. She represented Zimbabwe in under 13 and under 18 circuits, AJC, etc. Pauline represented Zimbabwe in the 2010 All Africa Games in 2010 and 2015. She achieved an ITF Junior ranking of 221 and was awarded the ACCAC Player of the Year award and ITA All American in 2016 . She received a full tennis scholarship to Eastern Arizona College. Today, Pauline works as a Tablaeu developer in Oakbrook, IL.
Genius Chidzikwe, pictured below, is one of Mantas' first graduates. He played D1 tennis for Southern Methodist University (SMU) from 1999 - 2001. In December 2000, he was ranked as the NCAA Division 1, Men's # 1 collegiate tennis player in the United States. He helped SMU reach the NCAA final four tournament playing number 1 singles in 2001. After college he went on to compete on the pro tour reaching a career high singles ranking of 380. Genius served as a member of the Zimbabwe Davis Cup team for 10 years starting as one of the youngest members in the team at age 16. He is the current Director of Racquets at The Weston Golf Club in Weston, Massachusetts and is a top 20 APTA ranked national paddle player. Genius also serves as a member of the APTA National Players Committee and is an APTA Certification Tester. Genius is the co-director of the Boston Open Grand Prix Paddle Tournament.
Munashe Makuni started playing tennis at the age of 8. At the age of 14, she was recruited to Mantas where not only her tennis skills improved, but her grades as well, graduating first in her class. She represented Zimbabwe during ITF circuits and traveled to several countries. From 2007 - 2008, Munashe ranked #1 in the country. In 2008, she was offered a full tennis scholarship to study Accounting at Prairie View A&M University. Two years later, she transferred to Clark Atlanta University in Georgia and there, earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Accounting. Awards include, SIAC Conference Title, SIAC Player of the Year and Tournament MVP in 2011. In 2012 she became a Graduate Assistant Coach. Currently, she works as a Senior Accountant in Boston, Massachusetts.
Rutendo Matingo started playing tennis at Mantas in 2002 and was ranked #2 nationally in the 12s, 14s, 16s boys singles and #1 in doubles. Rutendo won 6 medals at ITF tournaments in Southern Africa. He moved to Canada in 2009 to reunite with family and subsequently moved to Boston to pursue tennis full time. While in school, he helped win the 2011 Massachusetts State Championship at Weston High School (only team in school history to win the title while undefeated). He was captain of the tennis team at Dexter Academy and captained the Trinity College Men’s Tennis Team in 2017 - four year top 2 player on the team. He graduated college in 2017 with a degree in Political Science and Spanish. After graduating from Trinity, he was an Assistant Manager at the Four Seasons Boston and Four Seasons Toronto and is now pursuing a global masters in hospitality through EHL in Switzerland. Rutendo featured in EHL promotional video
Admire Mushonga began playing tennis at Mantas Tennis Academy from age 8 to 12 before moving to South Africa to train at the ITF Training Center. He represented Zimbabwe in the Davis Cup and was ranked as high as 147 in the world in juniors. Admire played for Florida A&M University. Currently, he works as the Head Tennis Pro at The Country Club of Brookline in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts and is a Top 20 nationally ranked paddle tennis player.
Alywn Mushonga started playing tennis at the age of 4 and joined Mantas Tennis Academy at the age of 5. He began representing Zimbabwe when he was 10 y.o., winning his first international tournament at the 12 and Under African Circuit in South Africa. He also represented Zimbabwe in the World Junior Championships in Cairo, Egypt at the age of 14. Alywn was ranked #1 in Zimbabwe in all age groups through Under 18's. After junior tennis, Alywn was offered a full D1 scholarship at Eastern Florida State College and ranked #5 in the nation. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Economics in 2020. Today, he is the Assistant Tennis Pro at the Weston Golf Club in Massachusetts.
Mbonisi Ndimande, pictured above, attended Mantas Tennis Academy and rose to prominence as a junior. He ranked #52 in the World Junior Rankings and played Wimbledon and The Australian Open Junior Grand Slam. He played Davis Cup for Zimbabwe in 2009. After graduating from Mantas, he was recruited to play Division 1 tennis at The University of California at Santa Barbara where he played #1 singles.
Lerato Ndvolu, pictured above, was a student at Mantas and recruited to play D1 tennis at Prairie View A&M University in Texas. During her college tennis career, she served as captain since her sophomore year, played 1st singles and 1st doubles and was awarded MVP 3 out of her 4 years. She received a Bachelor's degree in 2013 and a Masters in 2015 with a degree in accounting.
Brian Pindura (2nd boy from left) pictured above with Pfungwa Mahefu (boy on right), was previously the Head Pro at Mantas from 2004 - 2008 and coached the Zimbabwe National Junior Team. Prior to that, he was a top ranked national junior tennis player. Currently, he is the Head Tennis Pro at Braeburn Country Club in Newton, MA.
Organizer
The Lathrop Family, Brian Pindura and Genius Chidzikwe
Organizer
Weston, MA