Speech given by Senator David Coltart on the occasion of Adam ‘Adamski’ Ndlovu’s Funeral
22nd December 2012
Amphitheater, Bulawayo
I am honoured to be asked by the family to speak today. Although I did not know Adam personally I have marveled at his football skills for many years and have a deep rooted appreciation for the contribution this magnificent footballing family have made to Zimbabwe. I was deeply shocked to hear the news of Adam’s passing away on my way last Sunday to Lusaka to close the Zone 6 Games.
This is the second funeral I have spoken at in just a few months mourning the tragic passing away of a talented Zimbabwean as the result of a road accident. It is always difficult to understand the Lord’s purpose in taking such talent from us. It does not serve any useful purpose to try and understand. However, I do take great comfort from hearing that Adam had a personal faith in the Lord Jesus and that he  had a profound influence on an entire football team. That knowledge gives me comfort that he is now with the Lord and safe. My prayer is that that knowledge will comfort you all and especially Adam’s family and his loved ones.
Others have spoken about Adam’s brilliance on the football field (such as 79 Caps for Zimbabwe) and I cannot better what they have said. What I want to speak about it the importance of those skills to our nation. Sport in general and football in particular is far more important than we appreciate. Whilst a fantastic goal thrills us, sport can go much further than just thrill – it can and should play a major role in improving a country’s economy and image.
The Olympics in Britain this year was a revelation to me – more than the sport perhaps it struck me that it was a unique opportunity for Britain to boost its economy and project itself more positively.
Sport is indeed business. And so too is Art and Culture. We need to grasp that understanding better in Zimbabwe and realize it can boost an economy, boost tourism, and transform Zimbabwe’s image.  It is in that context that I need to say a few words about the need for us as a nation to create better policies and laws to adequately  honour our sporting, artistic, and cultural icons in Zimbabwe.
Whilst it is important that we honour politicians and soldiers who have made huge sacrifices and done wonderful things for Zimbabwe, I believe that we do not adequately recognize and honour our sporting and artistic heroes who sometimes do far more than politicians to project Zimbabwe in a positive light.  Sportsmen like Adam Ndlovu play a massive role not just in boosting our spirits, but in projecting our nation in a positive, constructive and favourable light. They project Zimbabwe as a vibrant, talented, exciting nation and because of that we owe them a great debt.
In other countries sporting and artistic icons are recognized during their lifetimes. In the USA, for example, they have Halls of Fame and great sportsmen are inducted into them. In the UK awards such as the OBE and Knighthoods are given to sportsmen during their lifetime.
Having been given that recognition, those sportsmen and women often then become ambassadors for their country and sport.
We do not do that in Zimbabwe. We have amazing icons like Oliver Mtukudzi, Thomas Mapfumo, Kirsty Coventary, Peter Ndlovu, and indeed Adam Ndlovu who project our nation in a wonderful light and who deserve to be recognized, not just in death but during their lifetime. There is no doubt in my mind that Adam Ndlovu is one of Zimbabwe’s national sporting heroes. Had we had a system of giving the equivalent of knighthoods or halls of fame, he would already have been recognized, not just because of caps or goals, but the way he played and conducted himself. We need something like an “Order of Zimbabweâ€.
If there is any purpose in this tragic loss let us use this occasion to resolve that we will implement such a policy and commit ourselves to honouring Adam posthumously.
Until then, I thank you all for turning out in such great numbers to honour Adam. My prayer is that your presence will comfort Adam’s family. On behalf of the government, our deepest sympathies are extended to his family, his friends and teammates and indeed all who loved this psorting genius.
Rest in Peace Adam