Friend, colleague, brother ... That is how I can describe Ramatsiyi Benjamin Paul Moholoa.

I have known Moholoa for close to 20 years, most of which were while I was working with him in the Sowetan sports department. He showed me the ropes when I joined the newspaper as an intern.

Rama, 42, as we called him in the newsroom, was known for his kind-heartedness. He was always there to land a helping hand no matter how hectic his schedule was.

He was the only employee I knew who would refuse to go on leave.

Even after much persuasion when he would give in and go on leave, he would still send us stories. He wouldn't send run-of-the-mill stuff.

Moholoa was respected by soccer players like Benni McCarthy, Aaron Mokoena, Steven Pienaar, Dillion Sheppard, Matthew Booth, to mention a few.

He played a major role in giving these players exposure from youth structures while they were still wide-eyed teenagers. He followed their progress until they graduated to Bafana Bafana.

Some of the players he exposed through his writing were part of the historic SA under-23 side that thumped star-studded Brazil 3-1 at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

Moholoa was a revered and intrepid sports writer who trod where others feared with the might of his pen. A true professional, who was born with ink in his blood.

He was like a brother in whom I could confide. He would gladly advise me whenever I needed help. I will remember him for his jokes.

There was never a dull moment with him around.

I still remember one day when we visited an eatery in Rosebank and he had a waitress and customers in stitches when he ordered fried mayonnaise mixed with boiled water.

He certainly made an impression on those he came into contact with.

A gym devotee, Moholoa used to train twice a day. Like his love for working out at the gym, Moholoa, a cook of note, also loved his food.

Moholoa was born in Seshego, Polokwane. He was the third child of the late Moyahabo Samuel Moholoa and Smoky Moholoa.

He attended Lotanang, Samuel Thema and Rampo schools and also had a diploma in journalism.

He started working for Sowetan in 1996 until he resigned in August 2014.

He worked for Times Media Sports Group Services at the time of his resignation. Prior to joining Sowetan, he was a freelance journalist for Limpopo-based newspapers Lebowa Mirror, Review and Lebowa Times.

Some of the major international events he covered include the All-Africa Games, the Olympic Games in Sydney and Athens, Africa Youth Championships, IAAF World Athletics Championships, the Fifa Confederation Cup, the Fifa World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

His cabinet is full of trophies that include the celebrated South African Sports Journalist of the Year award he received from Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula in 2013.

Moholoa, who died on Thursday last week, is survived by his mother, four siblings and a 20-year-old daughter.

He will be buried tomorrow in Seshego.

A short prayer will be said at house No 2250 in Zone 2 Seshego at 6.30am.

The funeral service will be held at the nearby Ngoako Ramatlhodi Indoor Sports Complex, next to Seshego police station from 7am, after which the procession will leave for the cemetery in Zone 8.