Echoing from Matanga village in Chikomba East Constituency, Tatenta is the son to the late Mr and Mrs Matanga. He did his primary school at Mangoro primary school and completed his ordinary level at Cranborne Boys High school. Tatenda’s life drastically changed for what he says the worst but the writer attests to it as what shaped his most humbling but inspiring story. The young Tatenda lost both his parents at a very tender age.

He moved in with his grandmother in Epworth who took care of him. Life was not rosy in Epworth and because It’s called life as it is unpredictable. He had to move back to the village to complete his grade seven. He was then taken by an aunt to Highfield in Harare and there he did his form one and two. When he moved to Cranborne high school he was now staying with his elder sister. Now life like that is unimaginable but he survived and bloomed to be a ripe fruit. Tatenda says from inception he has always been a fitness fanatic. In primary school, hw was an aerobics champion and even breaking his right collarbone at a young age.

The young Matanga was a very good athlete specializing in long distance. Wherever he went, his talent followed him as he became a fitness trainer and sports prefect at only form three. Back in the day when he decided to do aerobics professionally, there were fewer instructors and one could survive. Now that competition is high, He says “If you maintain standards to what you do and achieve results, you will survive“.

The modern world is taking their health and fitness very seriously. Fitness has become affordable and available to anyone. Those who cannot afford the gym can resort to skipping, jogging and running.
Talking of standards, Tatenda surely has accolades to prove his dedication and commitment to his calling. He won the 2nd runner up for Mr Iron Man fitness physique in 2013. He was the silver medalist in Mr Musclemania Zimbabwe  that same year. He was awarded Best trainer at Revenge Body fitness consultant in 2018.

Notably he was the fitness trainer to Zimbabwe’s female boxer, WBC champion, Kudakwashe Chiwandire. Well this can not all be done with a lot of motivation and inspiration. Tatenda draws inspiration from the man of God and coach, Lawson Muhambi and his brother Sensei Mugove who have mentored him since 2007. He also cites coach Clive Peturo who taught him how to read music in aerobics. Tatenda is also a patriot who loves his country at heart and a youth activist. His story, shaped with a lot of hardships and trauma, is a testament that you can make it defying all odds.

Asked for parting word Tatenda said, “Being an opharn doesn’t mean it’s the end of life. Keep on pursuing your life goals and career. I encourage the youths to always abstain from drug and substance abuse.”

Tatenda Matanga can be found on all social media platforms as coachtatsfitness. There you have it folks. Life is on you to make your dreams come to reality!