Sports is a global industry generating billions of dollars annually, with the worldwide sports market estimated at $600 billion. Revenue streams largely come from broadcasting rights, sponsorship, merchandise and ticket sales.
In Africa, the sporting market is worth around $12 billion. In Zimbabwe, the sports industry is mixed; some areas show promise, while others face significant challenges. Football is the most popular sport, followed by cricket and rugby.
Martial arts, though a multi-billion-dollar global sport, remains relatively niche in Africa. Its limited visibility on the continent is partly due to economic instability, inadequate infrastructure, and a small market size, factors which deter sponsors and reduce international exposure. In Zimbabwe, one man has taken it upon himself to showcase martial arts locally, regionally and internationally, often self-funding his efforts.
Wilfred Manenji Mashaya, widely known as ‘Zim Ninja’, is a renowned martial artist, trainer and administrator with over three decades of dedicated service. His journey began thirty-seven years ago in rural Masvingo, Zimbabwe, while herding cattle. Inspired by the legendary Bruce Lee, he fell in love with martial arts and committed himself to the sport.
Mashaya’s dedication, commitment to community, and impeccable record of achievements have made him a prominent figure in Zimbabwean sports.
Despite limited sponsorship and corporate support, he has represented Zimbabwe internationally in countries such as Russia, Spain, England, Montenegro, Wales, Bangladesh, Italy, Poland, Ghana, South Africa and Namibia.
His record of achievements is extensive. Mashaya became the first African Kobudo World Champion, trained children and women under the mantra “catch them young”, and attained multiple international certifications and black belt ranks across various martial arts disciplines.
Today, he holds a 6th Dan Black Belt in Kobudo, a 5th Dan in Self Defense, and black belts in Bujinkan Ninjutsu and Kyokushin Karate, earning him the title ‘Shihan’.
He introduced four international martial arts styles to Zimbabwe: Bujinkan Ninjutsu, Nunchaku-do, Self Defense, and Kobudo. This has opened opportunities for Zimbabweans to learn and compete at regional and international levels.
Mashaya’s trainees, including men, women and children, have collectively won over 150 medals in virtual competitions since 2020, promoting equal sporting opportunities and contributing to a disciplined, healthy society. His academy instills life skills such as discipline, fitness, self-esteem, social interaction, and self-defence, while steering youth away from crime and substance abuse.
Beyond training athletes, Mashaya works with police officers and security personnel, teaching armed and unarmed self-defence techniques that enhance community safety and professional security practices.
His contributions have been recognised internationally, earning him awards and appointments including Martial Arts Ambassador by the Mediterranean Karate Alliance in Malta, the King of Self-Defense Belt from Poland, World Champion titles in Kobudo and Karate, and induction into multiple international halls of fame across Europe and India.
Mashaya is the founder of the Zimbabwe Ninja Academy, registered with the Zimbabwe Karate Union and affiliated with the Sports and Recreation Commission. Under his leadership, the academy has produced national team players and trained over 400 participants of various ages.
In October 2025, eight children trained by Mashaya, competed at the World Championships in Wales, winning forty-three medals for Zimbabwe. Parents celebrated their children’s achievements, recognizing Mashaya’s mentorship and guidance.
He also provides self-defence training to women with disabilities and albinism in partnership with government bodies, pioneering inclusive opportunities in sport and breaking down barriers for vulnerable populations.
For this work, he became the first Zimbabwean and African to offer voluntary self-defence lessons for women with disabilities, earning international recognition and awards.
Despite financial and structural challenges, Mashaya has persevered, self-funding participation in competitions and promoting martial arts in Zimbabwe.
He has become a mentor, cultural ambassador and role model, inspiring a new generation of martial artists. His dedication has placed Zimbabwe firmly on the global martial arts map and continues to empower youth, women and communities across the country.
Shihan Wilfred Mashaya is more than a martial artist. He is a legend, a visionary and a driving force shaping the future of sport, discipline and opportunity in Zimbabwe and beyond.
This story was featured in the just-launched Luminate Africa Journal first edition of The Africa Feature Network’s end-year magazine, and can be downloaded on our website at the Journal page.
