Latest news with #SoshanguveHeritageFoundation
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Tshwane to rename Giant stadium after departed legend
The Tshwane metro has approved the renaming the iconic Giant Stadium in Soshanguve to the Amos Chando Mkhari Stadium, in honour of the late local soccer legend who left an indelible mark on South African football. The decision, endorsed by the Tshwane Council on April 24, follows a public participation process initiated in June 2024. The move was spearheaded by the Soshanguve Heritage Foundation, whose proposal aimed to recognise Mkhari's contribution to the community and to preserve the sporting legacy of one of Tshwane's most talented sons. MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning, Sarah Mabotsa, highlighted the importance of honouring local heroes. 'The metro's 2023 Geographical Names Policy allows for metro-owned properties and roads to be renamed to commemorate noteworthy, deceased individuals whose lives and contributions have shaped our communities,' she said. You almost brought tears to my eyes. Wow! The best news ever! May the beautiful spirit of Amos 'Heel Extension' Mkhari continue to rest in eternal peace. My day is made 😊🥰 — Aubrey Kekana (@AubzaK_ZA) April 24, 2025 Born on July 22, 1954, in Ga-Rankuwa, Mkhari began his professional soccer career in 1974 with Witbank Spurs before joining the legendary Orlando Pirates Football Club in 1978. Known affectionately as Heel Extension for his impeccable backheel passes, Mkhari dazzled fans and teammates alike with his grace and skill on the pitch. LISTEN: Mkhari passed away in 2014, but his legacy lives on, not only in the memory but also through the stadium that will bear his name. Mabotsa thanked the foundation for its tireless work in ensuring that the metro's past heroes are remembered and that their stories remain part of the urban fabric of the metro. Try to finish it first.. renaming a stadium that has a lot of corruption? Where is the money that was meant to complete the project? — nothing after life (@g4swater) April 24, 2025 The Amos Chando Mkhari Stadium is set to become a powerful symbol of pride, heritage and sporting excellence in Soshanguve. Gauteng EFF welcomed the decision. 'This symbolic gesture of renaming the stadium after Mr Mkhari is a fitting tribute to his unparalleled contributions to the world of football and his enduring legacy within the community. 'The renaming of the stadium serves as a potent symbol of the enduring legacy of a sporting hero and a reminder of the transformative power of dedicated individuals in shaping our communities.' Good to rename the stadium after Amos Mkhari but the IDP does not include the maintenance of old and construction of new sport facilities. This is a betrayal of the transformation and development of sports agenda. You cannot treat townships like you do with suburbs. Plot is lost. — Lala (@Mokoena119) April 24, 2025 Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
News24
27-04-2025
- Sport
- News24
Tshwane to rename another stadium after SA soccer legend
PSL / X Orlando Pirates legend, the late Amos Mkhari, will have Giant Stadium in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, renamed after him. The arena will officially be called Amos Chando Mkhari Stadium, according to the office of the City of Tshwane's economic development and spatial planning. Nicknamed "Heel Extension" because of his sheer ability to pass the ball with his heel, Mkhari died in 2014. He joins another legend from Tshwane, Lucas "Masterpieces" Moripe, who also had Super Stadium in Atteridgeville named after him in 2010. The City of Tshwane shared that the rebranding of Giant Stadium in honour of Mkhari was approved by the council on 24 April. According to the city's department of economic development and spartial planning, the move was proposed by the Soshanguve heritage foundation two years ago, in April 2023. The stadium, which is currently the home ground of second-tier side JDR Stars, is owned by the municipality. In a statement, MMC for economic development and spatial planning Sarah Mabotsa explained that the move to honour Mkhari was in line with the city's policy. The stadium is a municipality-owned property. The city's geographical names policy permits city-owned properties and roads to be renamed for reasons such as commemorating and honouring deceased persons, to recognise their achievements. Mabotsa added that such moves boost community heritage and promote the character of the area. Mabotsa concluded: "I thank the Soshanguve Heritage Foundation and their work in seeking to pay tribute to past heroes and legends in our city." Giant Stadium was upgraded in 2009 and served as a training field for teams participating in the 2010 Fifa World Cup that was hosted in South Africa.
IOL News
27-04-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Tshwane council honours Amos Chando Mkhari by renaming Giant Stadium
The Giant Stadium in Soshanguve, is set to be renamed after a former Orlando Pirates footballer Amos Chando Mkhari following a City of Tshwane council resolution. Giant Stadium in Soshanguve is set to be renamed after the late Orlando Pirates footballer Amos Chando Mkhari, who was known for his innovative style and exceptional passing skills. This was after Tshwane Metro council resolved to rename the sporting facility after the Soshanguve Heritage Foundation had nominated Mkhari for the honour. The former Orlando Pirates star, who died in 2014 at the age 60, was known for his creative playing style as "Heel Extension". Sibusiso Gunene of the heritage foundation said: "We are proud because this has been a long journey. We initially started the process years ago, but it stalled. We revived it in January last year, involving Mkhari's family, and finalised it last month. We are very excited." He said Mkhari was chosen for the honour because he was a local resident, and notably, Mkhari was aware of the efforts to rename the stadium after him before his passing. 'Unfortunately, we could only rename the building or institution after the person has passed on and after he passed we pursued to rename the stadium after him together with his family,' he said. He added that the foundation is also considering renaming other local facilities, such as clinics, after community heroes and activists. Mkhari's professional career began in 1974 with Witbank Spurs FC, where he played for four years. He then joined Orlando Pirates FC in 1978, playing for them for eight years, and was part of the team that won the Nedbank Cup in 1980. Sarah Mabotsa, the MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning, confirmed that the council has approved the renaming of the municipal-owned Giant Stadium. She explained that the City's 2023 geographical names policy allows for the renaming of city-owned properties and roads to honour and commemorate notable individuals, recognize their achievements, and promote community heritage and area character. After Mkhari's passing, Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza paid tribute, saying he 'played in a manner that reinforced and gave meaning to football being called the beautiful game.' Mabotsa said: 'The renaming of the stadium was proposed in April 2023 by the Soshanguve Heritage Foundation to highlight and uphold the heritage of the neighbourhood and to recognise Mr Makhari, a sporting legend of Tshwane and a member of the community. In June 2024 council approved initiating the public participation for the renaming process.' In August 2024, residents attended a public meeting where, with the backing of Mkhari's family, they expressed support for renaming the stadium to Amos Chando Mkhari Stadium. 'I thank the Soshanguve Heritage Foundation and their work in seeking to pay tribute to past heroes and legends in our city,' said Mabotsa.
TimesLIVE
25-04-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Soshanguve's Giant Stadium to be renamed in honour of Amos Mkhari
The City of Tshwane has announced the Giant Stadium in Soshanguve will be renamed Amos Chando Mkhari Stadium in honour of the Tshwane soccer player. Tshwane MMC for economic development and spatial planning Sarah Mabotsa said the decision was approved by the council on Thursday after it was proposed by the Soshanguve Heritage Foundation in 2023. 'The stadium is a municipal-owned property and the city's 2023 geographical names policy permits city-owned properties and roads to be renamed for reasons such as honouring and commemorating noteworthy deceased persons to recognise their achievements, to strengthen a community's heritage and to promote the character of an area,' she said. 'I thank the Soshanguve Heritage Foundation and their work in seeking to pay tribute to past heroes and legends in our city.' Residents were invited for public participation in the renaming process, and to obtain approval from the Mkhari family, who showed support for the renaming. Born in Garankuwa, Mkhari made his professional football debut in 1974 for the Witbank Spurs Football Club before joining Orlando Pirates in 1978. He died in 2014. His football skills, specifically his ability to pass the ball with his back knee, earned him the nickname 'Heel Extension'. Orlando Pirates chair Irvin Khoza previously praised Mkhari, saying: 'He played in a manner that reinforced and gave meaning to football being called the beautiful game.' The EFF in Gauteng has welcomed the renaming of the stadium. 'The symbolic gesture of renaming the stadium after Mkhari is a fitting tribute to his unparalleled contributions to the world of football and his enduring legacy within the community,' said EFF provincial chair Nkululeko Dunga. 'His innovative playing style, particularly his renowned back heel passes, not only entertained fans but also affirmed the creative and skilful identify of South African football and solidified his status as a true maestro of the game.' Dunga said the renaming of the stadium serve as a potent symbol of the enduring legacy of a sporting hero. 'Let the renaming of the Amos Chando Mkhari Stadium be a constant reminder of the resilience, excellence and spirit of community that defines us as a people and an inspiration to the current and generations to come of our potential and the significance of hard work and dedication.'
