Mayor Mafume to Grace Mufakose Developmental Swimming Gala

The Mayor of Harare, Jacob Mafume, is set to officiate at the Mufakose Developmental Swimming Gala scheduled for 16 November 2025 at the newly refurbished Mufakose Swimming Pool, a landmark event that celebrates sport, youth empowerment, and community revival.

The gala, organised by Harare Amateur Swimming (HAS), will begin at 10am and brings together young swimmers from clubs across the city to mark the reopening of a facility that has long been neglected but now restored to full use.

The Mufakose Swimming Pool, once abandoned and in disrepair, has been given a new lease of life through HAS’s corporate social responsibility initiative. The organisation has been leading efforts to revive community sporting infrastructure, promoting swimming as both a life skill and a tool for youth development.

HAS Board Chairperson Mrs. Rumbidzai Mahobele said the refurbished pool represents a “victory for community resilience and partnership.”

“This gala is not just a competition,” Mahobele said. “It is a testament to what unity, sport and vision can achieve. We want to give our young people a safe and structured environment where they can grow, learn and find purpose through sport.”

The event is expected to draw participation from several swimming clubs under the Harare Amateur Swimming banner, with competitions designed to promote inclusion and talent development at grassroots level.

In addition to the swimming events, organisers have also introduced a Business Exhibition Zone, offering a platform for local entrepreneurs and service providers to showcase their products and services. The initiative seeks to highlight the link between sport and economic empowerment, creating networking opportunities within the community.

Mayor Mafume’s attendance is expected to reinforce the city’s commitment to supporting community based projects that enhance youth development and social cohesion through sport.

The Mufakose gala represents a broader shift in how sport is being used as a catalyst for social change in Harare’s high density suburbs, transforming neglected facilities into centres of hope and activity for young people.