Mamelodi Sundowns chairperson Tlhopie Motsepe was still in his salad days when Stanley “Screamer” Tshabalala’s elegant “Shoeshine and Piano” was slaying teams in the late 1980s and early 90s, but he surely knows about the legacy of both the former coach and that intriguing and fascinating style of play.
Motsepe was one of the dignitaries who attended Tshabalala’s provincial funeral, which was held at the swanky Grace Bible Church in Pimville, Soweto, on Thursday. Tshabalala passed on following his battle to recover from gunshot wounds after his house was invaded by robbers.
Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi, mining magnate Patrice Motsepe, PSL chairman Irvin Khoza, Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, Doctor Khumalo, Safa president Danny Jordaan, Zwelinzima Vavi and Dr Molefi Oliphant were some of the other dignitaries who gathered in the same hall with your ordinary Joe Soap to pay their last respects.
SA diski legends such as Andries “Chaka Chaka” Mpondo, Jan “Malombo” Lechaba, Julius “KK” Sono, James “Killer” Mkhwanazi, Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba, Edward “MaGents” Motale, Eric “Tambai” Ramasike, Ronnie “Mainline” Zondi, William Okpara, Trott Moloto, Eugene Zwane, Augusto “Njenje” Palacios and Mike “Nanana” Ntombela, to mention a few, graced the event.
Motale left the audience in stitches when he regaled them with his tales of yesteryear with Tshabalala and his former teammates.
“The true blessing of Bra Stan (Tshabalala) was the fact that his presence was felt throughout so many football clubs.
“We will thank and remember him for the incredible mark he left at Mamelodi Sundowns through his Shoeshine and Piano style.
“And also, through his charisma, his character, his passion and his love for the players and the culture that he built when he was the Sundowns coach,” said Motsepe.
“Sundowns is grateful to know that we were part of Bra Stan’s incredible journey. Him being a Kaizer Chiefs player, moving into coaching and finding his way to Sundowns – and ending at Orlando Pirates. All three football institutions of SA soccer were blessed with this wonderful person. We, our players and our staff are going to grow and continue with his legacy.
“We cannot forget about Bafana Bafana, the mark he made and left in the national team. When you listen to people talk about his legacy, it is inspiration for what South Africans can achieve in this game.
“And it is also about what we can contribute and sacrifice, in dedicating ourselves to building this game and the lives it touches,” he added.
About Sundowns’ pre-season camp and friendly matches in Austria, Motsepe explained that they were getting good practice ahead of the new season.
“The message I want to send to Sundowns’ supporters is what I always say at the start and also at end of every season. It is to thank them for their support and to tell them that we are going to need them, like we have [always] done.
“What is happening at the club is that we are in the process of trying to make sure that we are set in the best possible position to make this coming season one of the best in our history,” he said.
