• Tweet

Bafana Bafana assistant coach, Thomas Madigage

 Thomas was a man of few words, but he commanded so much respect amongst his peers and the players. It’s a sad day for all of us - Irvin Khoza

Thomas was not only a footballer but also a community developer - Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula 

RELATED ARTICLES

• Football community mourns Madigage
• Nowhere without Tommy: Khumalo
• Mashego fined R10,000 for speeding
• Madigage goes back to his roots
• Madigage thrust to fore - Igesund names assistant
• Tapping into brains trust an Igesund masterstroke
• Igesund has core squad
• Politicians to play soccer
• A lesson for roadhogs

This was confirmed by the police in Limpopo, who said Madigage hit a donkey between Polokwane and Burgersfort.

“We can confirm that he passed away last night between 10pm and midnight,” said Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi.

Madigage was alone in his car on the R37 when a donkey crossed the road.

“There was one car towing a caravan in front of him. That car managed to swerve and avoid the donkey, but he could not. His car hit it.” 

Brigadier Mulaudzi sent his condolences to the Madigage family and the soccer fraternity in South Africa.

PSL chairman Irvin Khoza conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family, and announced that there will be a moment of silence at this weekend’s Telkom Knockout and the National First Division (NFD) fixtures – starting with tonight’s TKO fixture between Wits and Kaizer Chiefs.

“On behalf of the NSL clubs and the football family at large, I would like to convey our deepest condolences to the family of Thomas Madigage. We are all saddened to hear the news of his passing; he was such a gentlemen.

“Thomas was a man of few words, but he commanded so much respect amongst his peers and the players. It’s a sad day for all of us,” Khoza said.

Safa president Kirsten Nematandani said in a statement: “We are shocked... We would like to pass our sincere condolences to the family, friends and the entire nation on this shocking development”.

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula paid tribute to Madigage, saying: "Thomas has been an exceptional South African who has contributed a great deal to the sporting landscape of our nation and football in particular.

"Thomas was not only a footballer but also a community developer who believed that he must plough back to his community. This was apparent when he established the TM8 Foundation which is intended at 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, as he was affectionately known and named after Kaizer Motaung, will forever be remembered by all football loving and sportspeople for his colossal contribution to our nation. His legacy must inspire us as a nation to emulate the life of this iconic South African sportsman.

"Rest in peace, Chincha Guluva, hamba kahle."

Madigage was appointed Bafana Bafana assistant coach in July to work with new head coach Gordon Igusend.

Prior to that, Madigage worked as an assistant coach at Premiership side SuperSport United under Pitso Mosimane and later Gavin Hunt.

Madigage started his professional soccer career at Jomo Cosmos as a 16-year-old youngster and went on to play for Bafana Bafana.

He also played in Scotland and Switzerland before coming home to join SuperSport United, which was known as Pretoria City at that time.

Commenting on Madigage's skills as an assistant coach, when he was appointed to the national side, Igesund said: "I went for Tommy Madigage because in my opinion he really is a good coach and I think he can add a lot of value.

"Over the last 10 years or so he's been consistent. He's been assistant coach of a team that likes to win things...

"I think Tommy has not got the recognition he deserves. But he's been, without any doubt, the most successful assistant coach in the country by a long way."

.

Comments

• Sign in or sign up to comment

Sat May 18 16:23:56 SAST 2013 ::

Oct 19, 2012

Marikana_Mgqumeni

May his soul rest in peace we really lost one of the best coaches this country has ever produced sad.
Report Abuse

Oct 19, 2012

walerato

may his soul rest in peace... monna wa kgotso
Report Abuse

Oct 19, 2012

warry

Wow all over tv, etc. That's bad. Mosemane wa Driekop, robala ka kgotso le smile said gago.
Report Abuse

Oct 19, 2012

Zwanga

He died in a motor accident in Burgerfort last night @ 22h00. May his soul rest in peace........Bafana Bafana must honour him by winning next year's AFCON CUP. Condolences to his family and the entire soccer fraternity
Report Abuse

Oct 19, 2012

maneater

WWWWHHATTT????
Report Abuse

Oct 19, 2012

Vee-gee

May his soul rest in peace
Report Abuse

Oct 19, 2012

MophemeKoPitori

Zwanga
He died in a motor accident in Burgerfort last night @ 22h00. May his soul rest in peace........Bafana Bafana must honour him by winning next year's AFCON CUP. Condolences to his family and the entire soccer fraternity.
&*&*&**&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&**&*&*&**&*******&***&***
I agree with you dude. RIP Moholo
Report Abuse

Oct 19, 2012

Smartone

Sympathies to his family and friends....BUT when do we stand up and say "ENOUGH is ENOUGH" . We need to put a stop to this carnage......Become safer, more responsible drivers learn from wwwfatalmovesdotcom Awesome pics and videos and what NOT to do on the road.......wwwfatalmovesdotcom
Report Abuse

Oct 19, 2012

warry

Confirmed by President of SAFA. True. I will go home to bury him, my homeboy, ex brother in law, eish divorce.
Report Abuse

Oct 19, 2012

asaowe

RIP my fellow brother Thomas, i remember u young playing for Jomo Cosmos i use to go stadium to watch u, u were a brilliant player, SA has lost a young greatest player. SAFM has confirmed.
Report Abuse

Read all 157 comments

Comments are blocked for this article.