From Africa to the World - Meet Special Olympics Africa Region’s Newest Global Messenger

Special Olympics Africa Region
The Playbook
Published in
3 min readOct 22, 2018

This marathon runner from Special Olympics Zimbabwe has gone the full distance as an Athlete Leader!

Nyasha Derera (22), an accomplished short and long distance runner from Special Olympics Zimbabwe, has been chosen as Africa Region’s representative in the class of 2019–2023 Sargent Shriver International Global Messengers.

Nyasha, who speaks English and Shona, was raised as an orphan and lives with his extended family members. He joined Special Olympics six years ago through his Unified School, Mufakose, when Special Olympics Zimbabwe first came to introduce sports programming.

Nyasha excelled in most of his track and field events, and was selected to be part of the team that went to the 2015 World Summer Games in Los Angeles.

Nyasha loves public speaking, and volunteered to give a vote of thanks at one of Special Olympics Zimbabwe’s events. Through this, he was identified and trained as an Athlete Leader, and the rest is history.

Always ready to serve, he has been a team captain, an assistant coach, an athletics official, a trained Health Messenger, a Youth Activation participant and a Board member for Special Olympics Zimbabwe.

Nyasha currently serves as the Special Olympics Zimbabwe Athlete Leadership Council Chairperson, and is still actively competing in 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1200m athletics events. In his own words, Nyasha shares that:

“I am a very outgoing person, and I love meeting and making new friends. I like sharing my story of triumph through Special Olympics. “

“My dream is to be a motivational speaker, and Special Olympics has been giving me the opportunity to speak publicly, and it is my wish to receive training in public speaking so that I can realize my goal in life,” continues Nyasha.

Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger

Sargent Shriver International Global Messengers (SSIGMs) are selected based on their presentation skills, interpersonal skills, and personal stories representing the movement.

They go through a thorough training and have the support of individual mentors who work with them throughout their terms. The SSIGMs attend events in their Regions and throughout the world, give speeches, present awards, interact with potential donors and partners, and support the development of the athlete leadership strategy.

The athletes are trained to speak persuasively, be interviewed by the media, mentor and advocate for other athletes, and discuss their opinions on policy and governance. They are a vital component of the World Games, often participating in the Opening and Closing ceremonies, attending and giving speeches at various events, cheering on their fellow athletes, and interacting with honored guests.

Please see here for the new SSIGM class. These distinguished leaders will be trained in Washington, D.C. in January.

Nyasha Derera is passionate about fitness and recently became a trained Special Olympics Health Messenger. Read more here.

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The Playbook
The Playbook

Published in The Playbook

Using the power of sports as our driver, we are a global social movement dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Special Olympics Africa Region
Special Olympics Africa Region

Written by Special Olympics Africa Region

Revealing the champion inside all of us, every day around the world and in Africa! Sports and health programming for people with intellectual disabilities.

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