Mr Manatse has support for his mission - he is being mentored by business and government leaders as part of an African Think Tank project.

He was one of 30 African leaders in Melbourne chosen to take part in the project's round table discussions at Victoria University which aim to equip leaders with skills and knowledge to invest in their communities.

Mr Manatse said skilled migrants such as himself faced different challenges from refugees.

"We have our own challenges like the complicated visa system, so we want to help newcomers know what resources are out there.

"We already have a sporting group, the Zim Vic Sports Club, a soccer club, but we need to lift the status of the club. We also need a home club, or base, so those are some of the items we want to develop.

"One of the major challenges for our youth is engaging them. We feel soccer is the ideal game to help them, not only for Zimbabweans, but for other youths."

Mr Manatse said the Think Tank meetings had been encouraging.

"It's providing us with formal training to improve our leadership skills, but it's also given us an insight into what other communities from Africa are doing.

"In Africa the differences in various regional ethnic groups can cause conflict, but in Australia you learn to live in a multicultural society and learn to live with those differences."

The Think Tank participants, from 12 countries across Africa, are on full scholarships as they receive accredited training at Victoria University.

They will work alongside Leadership Victoria mentors on community-based projects until September.