User:Owen Mundalamo

Mashudu Owen Mundalamo was born in Ha-Makhuvha village near Donald Fraser Hospital (Vhufuli), Limpopo Province. He is the son of the late Mudzuli Mundalamo who was a Clerk at Pretoria City Council in the 60s and 70s and Nyawasedza Mundalamo.

He studied at Makhuvha Primary School from 1988 until 1994 when he passed his Grade 7 with flying colours. During his primary education, he was famous for his diligent skills in school work and soccer. He never repeated a class during his spell at Makhuvha Primary School. During his primary schooling in 1989 he received a serious penalty of digging a trench of 1 metre depth because of being absentia from school for a week without a permission from a School Principal. After such a heavy Punishment to a 7 year old boy, He never missed any class until he graduated at the University of Venda with Bsc. (Hons.) Environmental Sciences.

He participated in all school activities amongst others include; Tshikona Dance, Debate, Soccer and Athletics even though he never made it in 100m, 400m because of lack of pace but does extremely well in school soccer because of his character, dedication, commitment, tactical discipline, dazzling moves that teared apart defenders into pieces, fantastic technical skills and split passes that left supporters requesting more.

His role model while he was growing up was Malokisa "Malaga" Khorommbi because of his comprehensive knowledge and understanding of real life. Malaga was versatile with various issues. Owen grows up admiring Malaga’s Knowledge so that one day he can have extensive knowledge on various issues like him.

Owen shot in fame in 1990 because of his impeccable soccer skills that left defenders scratching their heads in his village and surrounding villages. Because of his educated left leg, the soccer loving supporters in the village named him ‘Gento” after a famous Orlando Pirates and Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo) national player Gento Kambala who mesmerized defenders by his nifty skills.

In 1990 Owen together with his Friend Mutshinyalo Mukwevho, Lutendo Mukhuba and Zakes Nemalili formed a soccer team but after a disagreement between the trio, Owen left the team and joined Minngoni FC. During his stint with the team, He scored so many memorable goals but the one that comes to his mind was the cracker he scored against Tshidengane FC in 1991 where Mingoni Thumped Tshidengane 2-1.

Owen was a well known supporter of the defuncted Makhuvha Up the Ants. He attended all the games that the team played and his all time favourate game was a 2-1 defeat of Venteco Young Tigers at Matangari High Aims Ground during the semi final of Dishume Knockout Challenge in 1992. His heartbreaking game was when Makhuvha Up the Ants succumb to Vondwe XI Bullents in the final of the same tournament via penalties. He spent four (4) days abstaining from intake any food as he couldn’t accept the outcome of the final. Makhuvha Up the Ants later on merged with Sk New Look to form SK New Look Electricity. The merge between the two made Owen livid and decided to stop watching local soccer.

Owen is currently working on the idea of revitalizing and restoring Makhuvha Up the Ants commonly known as Mulanga wa vhusunzi ( The union of the Ants). He is also a die hard supporter of Orlando Pirates since 1987 and his favourate player by then was Basil Steenkamp and Tebogo Tebza Moloi but his favourate player now is Teko General Modise and Siphelele "Shaka Zulu" Mthembu.

After passing his grade 7 in 1994, Mashudu admitted by Muhuyuwathomba Secondary School to pursue his secondary studies. During his schooling at Muhuyawathomba, He was awarded a best Grade 10 student award by Thohoyandou SAPS in 1997. The award was comprised of instrument container with amongst others ruler, pen etc. and handshake with the captain of the Thohoyandou SAPS Station. During his secondary education at Muhuyuwathomba Secondary School, He was known to be a voice of change with regard to sports especially soccer. He was amongst the organizers of Class Grades soccer team tournament in 1999 whereby each grade assembles a soccer team to battle each other every Thursday. He passed grade 12 his grade with exemption in 1999.

He enrolled at University of Venda to study Bachelor of Environmental Sciences in 2000. In 2001, He received Vice Chancellor Merit Award for his outstanding academic perfomance. He was offered an amount of R2000.00 to pay towards his studies. In 2002 He graduated with a Degree of Environmental Sciences. After receiving his degree, the idea of looking for job never crossed his mind instead he enrolled for an Honors degree in Geography at the University of Venda. He passed his Honors studies with flying colors and graduated in 2004.

In 2004 Owen was hired as an Assintant Researcher to conduct the research in Limpopo by the School of Post Graduate and Intergrated Sciences and Limpopo Economic Development Enterprises (LIMDEV). Owen left his job after what he called “irreconcilable differences” with his supervisor.

In 2005, Owen Joined Department of Land Affairs as a Researcher, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate, Research and Statistical Management subdirectorate. After his spell at Department of Land Affairs, Owen left to look for for green pastures and later Joined The University of Venda as a Geography Junior Lecturer on short team contract in 1996. The very same year He left the University of Venda to Join the newly established Officer of the Controller of Petroleum Products at the Department of Minerals and Energy as an Energy Officer.

He was awarded a best employee of the Month May 2007 within Hydrocarbons and Energy Planning Chief Directorate. After spending a year in the same position, he got a Principal Energy Officer position at the same Chief Directorate. As it is his trend of seeking green pastures, He left Minerals and Energy in 2008 to join Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (currently known as Water and Environment Affairs) as an Assintant Director;Climate Change Mitigation (The position he is currently occupying up to date).

He is also a renowned soccer writer. some of his comments already appeared in Soccer Laduuma 'Make your point", Daily Sun, City Press, Sunday Sun and Kick Off Forum Magazine.