Our #WCW today is Dr Eugenia Chidhakwa, a trailblazing sport administrator and policy leader whose influence spans education, gaming regulation, and continental sport development. Born in Bulawayo on May 27, 1966, she grew up in a family of five and began her professional journey as a primary school teacher, training at Mkoba College where she majored in physical education. Her early passion for inclusive sport was evident when one of her students at Mudavanhu Zimcare Trust was selected to represent Zimbabwe at the Special Olympics in 1994—a moment she still holds dear.
Dr Chidhakwa’s career has been defined by a steady rise through Zimbabwe’s public service, where she now serves as Chief Director for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture. Her leadership extends beyond national borders: she chairs the Sport Development Committee of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC), sits on the AUSC Council Advisory Board, and leads the Sport Development and Technical Commission for AUSC Region 5 (SADC). Her strategic vision has helped shape regional sport policy and development frameworks.
In October 2020, she broke new ground by becoming the first woman appointed Chairman of the Lotteries and Gaming Board in Zimbabwe. Her tenure has been marked by reform and innovation, including the rollout of the Gaming Online Monitoring System to improve transparency and oversight in the industry. She has also championed corporate social responsibility initiatives aimed at uplifting vulnerable communities through gaming revenues.
Academically, Dr Chidhakwa holds a Doctorate in Education Management from Stafford University in Uganda, a Master’s in Olympic Studies, and an Executive Master’s in Sports Organisations Management—earned in 2009 from the University of Porteir in France, where she was the first and only woman to attain the qualification at the time. Her academic grounding has informed her policy work and her belief that sport must be managed with the same rigor as any major economic sector.
Her teaching career remains a cornerstone of her legacy. She has mentored students in athletics and traditional dance at Seke 12 and Ndangariro Primary Schools in Chitungwiza, and continues to lecture in Physical Education and Sport at Bondolfi Teachers’ College and Morgan Zintec College. Her commitment to education and grassroots sport development has shaped generations of athletes and educators.
Dr Eugenia Chidhakwa’s journey is a testament to resilience, vision, and impact. From the classroom to the boardroom, she has consistently elevated sport as a tool for empowerment, inclusion, and national development. Her story continues to inspire women in leadership and those working to professionalize sport across Africa.
Dandaro Online, Zimbabwe Latest Appreciation
