THIS past week we witnessed a sad day on our sporting landscape. On Friday morning we woke to the news that a true sporting icon had lost his life in a tragic car accident during the night.
The heartbreaking loss of Thomas Madigage, our Bafana Bafana assistant coach, has sent shock waves through the football fraternity.
Tommy has been an exceptional South African who has contributed a great deal to the sporting landscape of our nation, and football in particular.
He started his professional football career when he was discovered by Jomo Sono in 1986, at the tender age of 16, and played for Jomo Cosmos Football Club where he excelled and was earmarked as a future great.
His mesmerising football skills soon caught the attention of international teams and he was recruited in 1990 to play for FC Zurich in Switzerland and later Manchester City and in Glasgow, Scotland.
Thomas was also a member of the illustrious early Bafana Bafana team but unfortunately missed out on the victorious Class of '96 under Clive Barker that conquered Africa and won the Africa Cup of Nations.
On his return to South Africa he joined Pretoria City that later became SuperSport United where he helped them to win numerous cups in the PSL.
After his retirement, SuperSport signed him up as an assistant coach.
He will particularly be remembered for his contribution, with coach Gavin Hunt, to SuperSport's three consecutive Premier League titles from 2008 to 2010. He is credited with being the longest-serving assistant coach of the club.
His immense experience, skills and attributes were recognised by Safa when he was appointed as the assistant coach of our national football team in July this year.
Thomas was not only a footballer but also a community developer. This was apparent when he established the TM8 Foundation that is providing much-needed support to communities in Limpopo and Mamelodi.
He will be remembered as a deeply religious man and for his humility and unassuming nature. On accepting the role as assistant coach he had this to say: "There were people with better qualifications who deserved this job more than me, but with the grace of God I have the opportunity to serve the nation and I am very thankful. We need the support of the country as this team belongs to every South African."
"Chincha Guluva" will forever be remembered by all football lovers and other sportspeople for his colossal contribution to our nation. His legacy must inspire us.
Tonight we will be conducting the final draw for the Afcon 2013 tournament in Durban and Tommy will be sorely missed at this event. We must dedicate this evening to Tommy for his gigantic role in developing football in SA.
I want to express my sincere condolences to his family and the South African Football Association on the loss of a South African legend and true son of the soil.
Rest in peace, Chincha Guluva, hamba kahle.
- Mbalula is Minister of Sport and Recreation
Mzansi mourns the passing of a legend
THIS past week we witnessed a sad day on our sporting landscape. On Friday morning we woke to the news that a true sporting icon had lost his life in a tragic car accident during the night.
The heartbreaking loss of Thomas Madigage, our Bafana Bafana assistant coach, has sent shock waves through the football fraternity.
Tommy has been an exceptional South African who has contributed a great deal to the sporting landscape of our nation, and football in particular.
He started his professional football career when he was discovered by Jomo Sono in 1986, at the tender age of 16, and played for Jomo Cosmos Football Club where he excelled and was earmarked as a future great.
His mesmerising football skills soon caught the attention of international teams and he was recruited in 1990 to play for FC Zurich in Switzerland and later Manchester City and in Glasgow, Scotland.
Thomas was also a member of the illustrious early Bafana Bafana team but unfortunately missed out on the victorious Class of '96 under Clive Barker that conquered Africa and won the Africa Cup of Nations.
On his return to South Africa he joined Pretoria City that later became SuperSport United where he helped them to win numerous cups in the PSL.
After his retirement, SuperSport signed him up as an assistant coach.
He will particularly be remembered for his contribution, with coach Gavin Hunt, to SuperSport's three consecutive Premier League titles from 2008 to 2010. He is credited with being the longest-serving assistant coach of the club.
His immense experience, skills and attributes were recognised by Safa when he was appointed as the assistant coach of our national football team in July this year.
Thomas was not only a footballer but also a community developer. This was apparent when he established the TM8 Foundation that is providing much-needed support to communities in Limpopo and Mamelodi.
He will be remembered as a deeply religious man and for his humility and unassuming nature. On accepting the role as assistant coach he had this to say: "There were people with better qualifications who deserved this job more than me, but with the grace of God I have the opportunity to serve the nation and I am very thankful. We need the support of the country as this team belongs to every South African."
"Chincha Guluva" will forever be remembered by all football lovers and other sportspeople for his colossal contribution to our nation. His legacy must inspire us.
Tonight we will be conducting the final draw for the Afcon 2013 tournament in Durban and Tommy will be sorely missed at this event. We must dedicate this evening to Tommy for his gigantic role in developing football in SA.
I want to express my sincere condolences to his family and the South African Football Association on the loss of a South African legend and true son of the soil.
Rest in peace, Chincha Guluva, hamba kahle.
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