Give them their flowers now – while they are still alive!
Give them their flowers now – while they are still alive!
SEDIBENG.- Jomo Sono once said, 'Don't honour or name a stadium after me when I'm dead. If you want to honour me, do it now while I'm still alive.'
Zakes' Sports Corner totally agrees with him!
The funeral of Simon 'Bull' Lehoko reminded me of Bra J's (Jomo Sono) words. This thing of making promises to the families of these former players after they have passed on is nothing but hypocritical, to say the least. Zakes' Sports Corner has said this before, people like Dr Molefi Oliphant and Ntate Lehoko were supposed to be honoured a long time ago, but no!
Ntate Lehoko is gone without being honoured by the Vaal community for his contribution not only to Vaal football, but South African football. A person lucky enough to be honoured while he was still alive was former football par excellence administrator George 'Kid Action' Thabe. The George Thabe Stadium was named after him while he was still alive and kicking.
For that, Zakes' Sports Corner gives that particular person or institution a round of applause. Ironically, the same can't be said about Ntate Lehoko, who dedicated his life to the development of South African football when it wasn't easy. This was during those days when apartheid was the order of the day.
MATTER OF FACT, Ntate Lehoko won't forgive us for not giving him his flowers while he was still alive.
We are a generation that doesn't care about others!
This thing of coming to people's funerals and lying with our straight faces must come to an end. We are nothing but football hypocrites! It is sad when people use other people's funerals as a popularity contest!
This is absolutely wrong, to say the least.
Ntate Oliphant is the last man standing with so many accolades, but still yet to be honoured. For starters, Ntate Oliphant is not only a football administrator guru but also an academic of note. He was a teacher, principal and director of education, to mention but a few! Some men and women play an important role in our society, but we fail to honour them while they are still alive.
Why?
Bra J is right, don't give them flowers after their departure, give them now while they are still alive.
Zakes' Sports Corner appeals to football people to stop using their former teammates' funerals as a meeting point.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
30 minutes ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates news: Saleng, Sibisi, Rhodes, Mokwena, Mofokeng
Orlando Pirates have an array of star players at their disposal, but not all are expected to remain in Soweto before next season commences. Bloemhof baller Monnapule Saleng is one of the main doubtful following a six-month PSL hiatus that has had him sidelined since early December. The 27-year-old seems sure to leave this offseason. Orlando Pirates will likely try their hardest to keep starboy Relebohile Mofokeng in Soweto, who has several giants after his signature, including Jose Riveiro's Al Ahly and Zamalek FC – the latter had an R25.8 million bid rejected earlier this year. Meanwhile, the club will soon announce a new club captain following the release of Innocent Maela, with defender Nkosinathi Sibisi one of the favourites to take over armband duties, a rumour club legend Benedict Vilikazi approves, saying, 'Though it puzzles me why Pirates keep releasing their captains, I believe Nkosinathi Sibisi would be a perfect replacement for Maela.' The Buccaneers have yet to name Riveiro's successor, but the latest signs point to former Mamelodi Sundowns manager Rulani Mokwena as being on their radar. The PSL winner recently rejected Egyptian giants Zamalek. A player Orlando Pirates would love to lure is Cape Town City youngster Jaedin Rhodes: 'One of those reinforcements could be a long-time target, Jaedin Rhodes. Although the 22-year-old has endured an underwhelming season with Cape Town City, he remains a high priority on the Buccaneers' list,' a source said. 'The club [Orlando Pirates] has been met with resistance by City in previous attempts to lure Rhodes to Gauteng, but according to sources, will try once more in the upcoming window. Complicating matters will be the Citizens' peculiar situation.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates transfers: The new Mokoena
Betway Premiership giants Orlando Pirates are linked with another player from AmaZulu FC. The Sea Robbers signed Tapelo Xoki and Makhahleni Makhaula from the same club since 2022. With the likes of Gilberto and Katlego Otladisa set to leave the Buccaneers, reports say Orlando Pirates are close to signing Tshepang Moremi. The speedy winger, with a similar touch and grace to Lebohang 'Cheeseboy' Mokoena, was born in Sharpville, Gateung, which is the same hometown as Relebohile Mofokeng. Teko sends honest transfer message to Orlando Pirates boss According to SABC Sports' Mazola Molefe, the Sea Robbers are ironing out the final details towards signing AmaZulu's right-winger Moremi. The 24-year-old had his best season as a premier division footballer with four goals and seven assists in 24 matches, impelling the Buccaneers to find his agent's phone number. 'SABC Sport has established that Orlando Pirates are pushing to sign winger Tshepang Moremi from AmaZulu, with discussions believed to be advanced and a deal now likely,' the report said. 'It's understood these talks are progressing with ease given the history between the two sides with previous deals during the transfer window as well as the mutual respect that exists among the two clubs,' Molefe added. Tshepang Moremi collects his Man of the Match award against Cape Town Spurs at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Image: @officialpsl/X Moremi started his professional football in the lower leagues at Bizana Pondo on loan from the AmaZulu reserve team. Another season on loan at JDR Stars in the Motsepe Foundation Championship polished him to become a fully established Betway Premiership player for AmaZulu since the 2023/24 season. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Mamelodi Sundowns' R170m FIFA Club World Cup windfall and warm DJ Khaled US welcome
"Another one" International music star DJ Khaled has sent out a message to Mamelodi Sundowns ahead of the CAF Champions League final, and their trip to the United States to play in the FIFA Club World Cup. Image: Supplied Mamelodi Sundowns received a warm welcome upon their arrival in the United States for the FIFA Club World Cup by one of their most famous supporters and a nice surprise in their bank account. Music mogul DJ Khaled welcomed the South African league winners to America on social media. In a video shared this week by Roc Nation Sports International, the consultancy partner to Sundowns, the renowned American passionately enthuses 'Welcome to America, let's go!' while brandishing the yellow Sundowns kit. Sundowns are currently settling into their Bradenton base in Florida ahead of their first Club World Cup game against Ulsan FC next week, which will be followed by further group games against Borussia Dortmund and Fluminese. Sundowns earned their right to play in the FIFA Club World Cup after winning the FIFA African Football League competition and their consistent displays in the CAF Champions League. Al Ahly of Egypt, Esperance of Tunisia and Wydad Casablanca of Morocco are the other African teams in the competition. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ By securing their places, the teams are each guaranteed $9.55 million (about R170 million) in appearance fees. But the teams will also be rewarded for their performances in the group stages and beyond, with FIFA offering up $2 million for win and $1 million for a draw in the group stages. Teams that secure qualification for the round of 16 knockout phase - finishing in the top two in their group - will earn another $7.5 million. The quarter-finalists will receive $13.125 million, while the semi-finalists will get $21.0 million.
