Former Bafana Bafana striker Phil Masinga’s childhood friend, Monty Kekana, has appealed to the North West government and the Matlosana Municipality in Klersdorp to rename the Khuma Sports Ground after the soccer legend.
Kekana was one of the many speakers who described Masinga as a selfless person at his memorial service, held at the Grace Bible Church in Soweto, on Monday.
Current and former players, coaches, football administrators, club owners and football lovers all gathered to pay their last respects and celebrate the life of Phil Masinga.
Most of the members of the historic 1996 African Cup of Nations winning squad – including Lucas Radebe, Mark Fish, Doctor Khumalo, and Shaun Bartlett – were there to pay their respects to their former teammate.
Many people said Masinga touched their lives in a positive way without expecting anything in return.
Masinga’s childhood friend, Monty Kekana, says he and his friends have asked the North West provincial government to honour their own hero.
“By the way of honouring Phil, the renaming of Khuma Sports Ground to Phil Masinga Stadium to happen. The approval of the annual Phil Masinga games will be a way of honouring his legacy also to happen because there is life after this. In conclusion, even in death you are still loved and forever will be. You have touched the hearts of so many who owe you a lifetime of gratitude, I pray you find peace in your last place of rest,” says Kekana.
Former Bafana Bafana captain and Masinga’s teammate at Leeds United, Lucas Radebe, says the lanky forward made it easier for him to adjust quickly at Elland Road after joining the English club a few months before him.
“He made an impact in different people’s lives specially mine. He went to Leeds before me…At least there was somebody that I could speak the language with…”
Former Bafana Bafana defender, Mark Fish, also paid tribute to Masinga. Fish, who joined Lazio in Italy from Orlando Pirates, says Masinga made his life easier overseas because he was already playing in Italy when he got there as a younger player.
“I was fortunate to have been part of Phil’s life; him being obviously part of mine. The first time i got to meet Phil was one of the first Bafana camps. When I left Pirates for Lazio, Phil at the time had moved to Saralatina and we spent a quite of time together. He came visit me in Rome and you know we grew a more closer relationship and went on with it to the national team …”
Masinga is survived by his wife, four children, and two bothers.
Masinga’s daughter, Tinyiko says there was no dull moment around her father. She says Masinga warned them while he was still alive, that he did not only belong to the Masinga family, and the North West Province but to the entire country.
“You fought so many battles but you still loved without expecting anything in return. You may be gone but through your children your legacy shall live on. You once said when you die we should know that you don’t belong to the Masingas, you don’t belong to the North West Province, but the country as a whole.”
Masinga’s friends say South African football needs urgent intervention to stop the scourge of former players dying as paupers.
Meanwhile president of the South African Football Players Union, Kgaugelo Gaushubelwe, says government also needs to intervene in providing qualify medical care for everyone.
Gaushubelwe says it’s unfortunate that Masinga has to receive treatment at two public hospitals before the intervention of Mamelodi Sundowns president Patrice Motsepe who took the former striker to a private hospital in Parktown, Johannesburg.
“If we have a health system that is failing us, the health system that is being privatised. For you to get health, you need to go to a private sector – that’s very wrong. Phil was fortunate because he’s a legend. He has played football. But what about those supporters who don’t know anybody. You can’t move from Klersdorp when you are ill. To Bara, from Bara to private hospital only when you’ve been taken care of.”
Another memorial service will be held in Masinga’s hometown of Klerksdorp on Tuesday.
The 49-year old Masinga will be laid to rest in the North West on Thursday.
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