Sports Minister Thulas Nxesi has lauded former African National Congress Member of Parliament John Ncinane for playing a crucial role in the development and transformation of sport in the country.
He was speaking at the funeral service of Ncinane at Victoria Grounds in King William’s Town in the Eastern Cape.
Ncinane served as a Member of Parliament under the reign of former South African presidents, Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki.
He also served as the Border Rugby Football Union president in the early 2000’s.
Friends, colleagues and ANC members gathered at the Victoria Grounds in King William’s Town to bid farewell to John Ncinane.
Speakers described him as a sport fanatic and a people’s leader.
The ANC veteran succumbed to diabetes at his home in Keiskammahoek, outside King William’s Town following a long illness.
Sports Minister Thulas Nxesi says Ncimane was passionate about the development of sports in rural areas.
“In the area of sports, John gave the meaning in the inclusion of rural sport within the main stream of public discourse; he focused his work on Peddie and Keiskammahoek which cost him his family time and lots of money with all the underground work.”
Leaders from various sports and political organisations attended the funeral.
ANC provincial chairperson Oscar Mabuyane says Ncinane was dedicated to community development and his organisation, the ANC.
“He loved his people and his organisation. He was committed to the development of rural community even when he lost position in the national level he went back to his people in Keikammahoek and worked with them to bring development in the area.”
Family member Nomachule Kom says the family is devastated by Ncinane’s passing.
“Usithathu always preached unity in our family, he listened to one’s ideas and he was not bullying us. He was very knowledgeable on how to approach family issues.”
Ncinane was laid to rest in his home town Keiskammahoek.
He is survived by his wife and children.
