Sam Dauya

Sam Dauya (October 22, 1937 – May 11, 2008) was the Zimbabwean founder of the Dynamos F.C. football team, which was founded in 1963 and is based in Harare.^[1] sam was born to Malawian parents in Waterfalls, Zimbabwe, on October 22, 1937.^[1] He attended St Michael's School as a student.^[1] His first job following the completion of his studies was as a controller at Zimbabwe Furnishers, which at the time was owned by Teddy Cohen.^[1]

Sam began thinking of starting his own soccer team in the early 1960s, after authorities in what was then known as Rhodesia started a professional football in 1962 composed exclusively of white players.^[1] Blacks were not permitted to play on the Rhodesian teams. Coincidentally, two black football teams, Salisbury City and Salisbury United, were disbanded at approximately this time.^[1] Dauya approached members of the defunct teams about starting a new football club for black players.^[1]

Dynamos F.C. was officially founded in 1963, composed of players from black townships surrounding Harare.^[1] Dauya personally designed the team's first logo and wrote the club's constitution.^[1]

Sam Dauya died at a private hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe, on May 11, 2008, at the age of 70.^[1] He died just one day after Dynamos F.C. defeated the current African champions, Etoile du Sahel.^[1] Mourners gathered to remember Dauya at his home at Number 6 Smit Crescent in Eastlea, Zimbabwe.^[1] He was survived by three children Terry, Caroline and Jackie. He has eight grandchildren Tim, Will, Jon, Theo, Eli, Malachai, Livia and Jonathan. His wife was the late Chipo Judith Banda.