Skip to content

You are using an outdated browser

Internet Explorer is not supported by this site and Microsfot has stopped releasing updates, therefore you may encounter issues whilst visiting this site and we strongly recommend that you upgrade your browser for modern web functionality, a better user experience and improved security.

Upgrade my browser

Teenage Zimbabwean Motocross Rider Pays School Fees For 45 Kids

5 min read

Good Stuff
Source: ZoomZimbabwe.com

Zimbabwean Motocross sensation Tanyaradzwa “Tanya” Muzinda has paid the school fees for 40 girls and 5 boys; and wants to pay school fees for a further 500 kids across Zimbabwe — and she’s only 14 years old.

Tanya’s dream is to send 500 kids to school by the end of 2020 #TeamTanya

14 year-old Zimbabwean Motocross rider Tanyaradzwa “Tanya” Muzinda is ensuring that the Girl Child is not left behind by donating her savings to Chinamano Council Primary School at Epworth, 20km southeast of the capital Harare. Tanya said “My dream is to send 500 kids (to school) in all ten provinces of the country by end of the year 2020 by God’s Grace and I have hope that this dream is achievable.”

Birmingham, UK - October 3rd 2015 -“This was another amazing stepping stone in my mission. On October 3rd I was nominated 2015 Sport Woman of the Year in Zimbabwe. The ceremony was amazing and it was my first time traveling to Europe. I can't wait to be back and race there. 
Thank you everyone that voted for me. I will make this dream come through and inspire other african girls along the way.”
Tanya was crowned Zimbabwe Junior Sportswoman of the Year and Junior Sportsperson of the Year in 2015 Birmingham, UK – October 3rd 2015 -“This was another amazing stepping stone in my mission. On October 3rd I was nominated 2015 Sport Woman of the Year in Zimbabwe. The ceremony was amazing and it was my first time traveling to Europe. I can’t wait to be back and race there. 
Thank you everyone that voted for me. I will make this dream come through and inspire other african girls along the way.” Source: TanyaMuzinda.com

AN AFRICAN GIRL WITH THE DREAM OF BECOMING AN INTERNATIONAL MOTOCROSS ATHLETE

Tanya is the oldest child of the Muzinda family. Her family is the first generation to have permanently moved from the village into the city of Harare,  Zimbabwe. While Tanya has grown up in the city, she is very well aware of her heritage.  The first girl of her family to go to school, Tanya showed a talent in sport since a young age. 

One day her dad, who always had a passion for Motorsport, (with a lot of sacrifices) was able to buy Tanya a go-kart.  Tanya was then exposed to the Donnybrook Motorsport park where she went practice with her go-kart. Shortly after this, she was introduced to the sport of Motocross, since Donnybrook also offer 3 motocross tracks along side the go-kart track.

From then on Tanya ditched the 4 wheels for the 2 and at 6 years old she became the first Zimbabwean female motocross champion in history. Tanya is in love with the sport and her dad reached out to Motocross legend Stefy Bau to have a chance for Tanya to have the best mentor she can have.

Stefy travelled to Zimbabwe in December 2013 and a life long friendship was born. Stefy coached Tanya for 2 weeks and Tanya conquered a second overall in the very competitive devision of the 65B class.

Tanya’s dream is to become the first female motocross athlete from Africa to reach international success, hence the project #TeamTanya was born. 

Source: TanyaMuzinda.com

‘This is the moment I landed back in my home country as 2015 Sports Woman of the Year. I can't even start to describe the joy of see so many people welcoming back. I'm a girl from Africa with a dream. Taking it all in! Thank you everyone for the support!’  — Tanya Muzinda
A hero’s welcome in Harare, Zimbabwe October 7th, 2015 ‘This is the moment I landed back in my home country as 2015 Sports Woman of the Year. I can’t even start to describe the joy of see so many people welcoming back. I’m a girl from Africa with a dream. Taking it all in! Thank you everyone for the support!’ — Tanya Muzinda Source: TanyaMuzinda.com

Muzinda has a passion of education especially in regards to the Girl Child

Tanya told ZoomZimbabwe the motive behind the donation is giving back to the community. She said she has a passion of education especially in regards to the Girl Child who needs not to be left behind.

“A lot of times I miss races, training because of finances and other technical reasons, I know how it feels to miss something you cherish and is part of your destiny, so I could imagine a little girl looking at other kids going to school and staying home, the pain and trauma is unbearable.”

Muzinda is the first woman in Zimbabwean Motocross history to have won a championship race.

In July 2018, Tanya was featured as 1 of the 10 greatest African female Trailblazer athletes. 

Source: ZoomZimbabwe 

Tanya, who is mentored by motocross legend Stefy Bau, was crowned Zimbabwe Junior Sportswoman of the Year and Junior Sportsperson of the Year in 2015, and she leveraged the high-profile accolades to help others.
The Real Deal Tanya, who is mentored by motocross legend Stefy Bau, was crowned Zimbabwe Junior Sportswoman of the Year and Junior Sportsperson of the Year in 2015, and she leveraged the high-profile accolades to help others. Source: TanyaMuzinda.com

Tanya has always had a calling to help others

In July of 2018, Tanya wrote on her blog

‘This month marks 6 years since my historic appointment as the Zimbabwe-European Union Honorary Ambassador for Gender ,Youth ,Sports and development and l think it made me the Youngest Ambassador in the World.

Since l was young it was always my desire to help others at school my friends gave me a Nick name Mother Theresa and laughed a lot about it until l was appointed by the EUROPEAN UNION Delegation to Zimbabwe and realised it’s a calling.

I have since adopted an orphanage in Warren Park called Nyarirai Children’s Home which l help with my pocket money and sometime my prize money.

My parents help a lot in looking for books clothes and amenities for the children.

Every year I’ve been organizing with my family and friends of #TeamTanya a Christmas party for the kids celebrating together.

Charity begins at home.’

Tanya’s story has been featured on the BBC, Al Jezeera Network AJ+, and by Malala Yusafsai. She has been a speaker at the Techwomen Zimbabwe conference, and was acknowledged by ZimCelebrities as one of Zimbabwe’s most influential teenagers. 

Donnybrook Sunset Source: TanyaMuzinda.com

#TeamTanya Project

To help Tanya achieve her goal a project called #TeamTanya is born.

To be able for Tanya to become an international motocross star she needs to start competing in her local championship in Harare, Zimbabwe and gradually move up to neighbouring countries.

Once she had gained the experience to race against new competitors she will be ready to make the jump to European races and ultimately American races.

To bring this project to fruition the minister of Sport, art and Culture of Zimbabwe, Hon. Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga  has call all corporate entities and ask for financial contribution to support this little girl in her dream.

This had gained the attention of the EU (European Union) which has put forward a grant proposal to help #TeamTanya project.

Stefy Bau, mentor and manager of Tanya, is also working in getting sponsors involved to provide the necessary equipment for Tanya racing needs.

If you are interested in getting involved in this project please do not hesitate to contact TeamTanya.

#TeamTanya is an inspirational project to help a little girl from a minority background, to compete in a minority sport which is male dominated, to show the world that dreams, with hard work and dedication, can come true. 

Source: #TeamTanya

Tanya Muzinda: African motocross phenom with a generous heart Not only is this young girl taking on the boys in motocross, she’s on her way to becoming the first ever champ from Africa. Source: Facebook/NowThis
Make an Impact

Help #TeamTanya

If you are interested in getting involved in this project please do not hesitate to get in contact.<br /> #TeamTanya is an inspirational project to help a little girl from a minority background, to compete in a minority sport which is male dominated, to show the world that dreams, with hard work and dedication, can come true.