Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Maseru Koaho, a prominent sports journalist, was in high spirits last Friday in Pretoria at the sending-off function of Team South Africa to the All Africa Games (AAG) in Algeria.

Affectionately known as Serus, Koaho was looking forward to covering the tournament and predicted that South Africa would do well.

It was going to be his third consecutive AAG after Johannesburg in 1999 and Nigeria, 2003.

But a driver who failed to stop at an intersection in Westonaria last Saturday put a stop to that.

Koaho's death has send shock waves throughout the sports fraternity.

Those who knew him well will agree sports journalism has lost a stalwart, a hands-on newsman who had a passion for development.

Koaho was also excited about the 2010 World Cup coming to our shores. He always felt bad about people who rubbished South Africa, the sceptics who said we would not be able to pull it off.

I have known Koaho for 13 years. We covered many local and international sports events and travelled globally together.

Koaho was a humble person who was always willing to help others. In Nigeria, for instance, he showed his generosity by giving money to the needy on the streets of Abuja.

Another incident that stands out was during the Iwisa Charity Spectacular games at Soccer City some seven years ago. Koaho had to run for dear life when a raging Clemens Westerhoff, then Mamelodi Sundowns' coach, bayed for his blood.

Born on April 26 1954 in Makwassie, North West, he later trekked to Boksburg where he landed his first job at Lever Brothers.

A teacher by profession, Koaho joined SABC in 1982 as a sports reporter.

Koaho will be buried at the Elspark Cemetery tomorrow. The cortege will leave from his home at 249, Sepeng Street, near ZCC in Extension 2, at 7.30am, to Dumisani Hall, Ext 14, and proceed to the cemetery at 11am.