When the young track runner, Royal Mabika went to Dubai to try his luck in athletics competitions in 2022, he was quickly overwhelmed by the number of meets in which he could compete.
Dubai is the best-known city in the United Emirates and aspires to be the centre of the modern world in culture, arts, technology and now sports.
Having primed himself as a marathon runner in Zimbabwe, and aspiring for Olympic status, Royal won the ten-kilometre race in the Emirates, thus establishing himself as a serious athlete. He went on to win five other races; and by now he was looking for other opportunities.
However, with that Zimbabwean attitude, to go where no man had gone before, explore and experience new adventures, he found himself drawn to share these vast experiences with schools in Zimbabwe. Thus, was born the Royal Cultural Exchange, LLC., an outfit which sponsors Zimbabwean school cultural exchanges with the Emirates.
To his surprise, with the advice of another Zimbabwean patriot, who never tires of flying Zimbabwe’s flag abroad, senior academic advisor at Higher Colleges of Technology in the Emirates, Dr. Gallie Kwanzaruwa, the idea quickly became a reality.
In the photo on the left, learners from Camelot Academy in Kwe Kwe, proudly display their banner as they are welcomed by Zimbabwe’s ambassador to the Emirates in Abu Dhabi. Camelot head of school, the Reverend Josephine Chiweda is accompanied by sports director Edison Chirowodza. The Zimbabwe ambassador was gracious to the learners, spoiling them with an inspirational pep talk and refreshments.
What had initially started as a sprots exploration morphed into a full-fledged cultural exchange. Camelot learners were paired with an Islamic school for a day and made friends there. They were totally awed by the discipline and religious atmosphere of an Islamic school. But their most awesome experience came when they visited the Grand Mosque in Abhu Dhabi, an experience beyond words, a place visited by millions of visitors from all over the world.
Schools wishing to take advantage of this cultural exchange can contact Royal Mabika.
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