England will be the first country other than South Africa to honour Bafana Bafana captain Aaron "Mbazo" Mokoena when London bestows the freedom of the city on him on November 10.
"This is a great honour for me. It's one of my biggest achievements, one I will cherish for the rest of my life," an elated Mokoena said.
The honour will be conferred on the captain of Championship side Portsmouth by Boris Johnson, the Lord Mayor of London.
Mokoena is being honoured for his contribution on and off the field. His foundation is helping to improve the lives of ordinary people.
Sowetan can reveal that Mokoena impressed Johnson when he was part of President Jacob Zuma's delegation during Msholozi's visit to England in March.
During the visit, Zuma met Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace and later prime minister Gordon Brown.
Zuma also visited Wembley Stadium where he interacted with England's 2018 Fifa World Cup bid committee.
The Aaron Mokoena Foundation, launched in South Africa and England last year, also impressed Johnson. The foundation strives to increase and improve opportunities for children and young people, both in South Africa and England, using the power of football to impact on education, health and life opportunities.
Mokoena was lured to England from Belgium's Genk by Premiership side Blackburn Rovers in 2005.
The former Jomo Cosmos player made 101 appearances for Rovers before moving to Portsmouth last season. Mokoena surprised all and sundry by agreeing to go down with Pompey, saying the players and management have been good to him.
"I want to be part of the players who will ensure that Portsmouth are back in the English Premiership next season. We are on track," Mokoena said.
South African Football Association chief executive officer Leslie Sedibe said: "We are happy to see our players making a meaningful contribution to the lives of ordinary people.
'It's good for Mbazo and we congratulate him in advance for getting the freedom of London."
City of London to honour Mbazo
England will be the first country other than South Africa to honour Bafana Bafana captain Aaron "Mbazo" Mokoena when London bestows the freedom of the city on him on November 10.
"This is a great honour for me. It's one of my biggest achievements, one I will cherish for the rest of my life," an elated Mokoena said.
The honour will be conferred on the captain of Championship side Portsmouth by Boris Johnson, the Lord Mayor of London.
Mokoena is being honoured for his contribution on and off the field. His foundation is helping to improve the lives of ordinary people.
Sowetan can reveal that Mokoena impressed Johnson when he was part of President Jacob Zuma's delegation during Msholozi's visit to England in March.
During the visit, Zuma met Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace and later prime minister Gordon Brown.
Zuma also visited Wembley Stadium where he interacted with England's 2018 Fifa World Cup bid committee.
The Aaron Mokoena Foundation, launched in South Africa and England last year, also impressed Johnson. The foundation strives to increase and improve opportunities for children and young people, both in South Africa and England, using the power of football to impact on education, health and life opportunities.
Mokoena was lured to England from Belgium's Genk by Premiership side Blackburn Rovers in 2005.
The former Jomo Cosmos player made 101 appearances for Rovers before moving to Portsmouth last season. Mokoena surprised all and sundry by agreeing to go down with Pompey, saying the players and management have been good to him.
"I want to be part of the players who will ensure that Portsmouth are back in the English Premiership next season. We are on track," Mokoena said.
South African Football Association chief executive officer Leslie Sedibe said: "We are happy to see our players making a meaningful contribution to the lives of ordinary people.
'It's good for Mbazo and we congratulate him in advance for getting the freedom of London."
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