Legendary football writer Sbu Mseleku laid to rest

Legendary football writer, Sbusiso Mseleku has been laid to rest at the Stellawood Chapel in Durban. He has been described as a pioneer for his contribution to sports journalism.

Mseleku died earlier this week at a Johannesburg hospital at the age of 59 due to COVID-19 related complications.

He was the former sports editor of City Press‚ and also a prominent football writer for Sowetan and Drum magazine, delivering sports analysis for SABC Sports and other broadcast channels.

Family and friends came together to bid Sbusiso Mseleku farewell. He hails from the small town of eMagabeni, south of Durban. His distinguished career spans over 33 years. He had recently started his online company named S’busiso Mseleku Sports.

Duma Ndlovu pays tribute to Mseleku: 

More tributes 

Those who knew him well have described him as a hardworking man, who always achieved more.

Senior sports reporter Timothy Molobi, describing what it was like working with the legend, says, “Legendary and award-winning – that’s the best two ways to describe him. When I first started working with him back in 2004 I never thought we’d have such a wonderful and fulfilling relationship together, I learnt a lot from him and one thing that I liked about him was that he never held grudges. He always addressed issues and these are things that people should learn from him.”

In the 1980’s Mseleku completed his journalism studies at Wits University and went on to join SABC Sports.

Speaking on behalf of the Mseleku family, Khozin Duma has described Mseleku as a people’s person, saying he was a jovial man who didn’t like to see others upset.

Similarly, close friend Vincent Magwenya described Mseleku as a foodie, who loved road trips. Mseleku’s children described their father as a righteous man who always wanted to give them a good life. They thanked all those in attendance for their never-ending support and care through this time.

Family friend, Duma Ndlovu says Mseleku’s contribution to journalism will always be remembered.

“It was not only sports journalism, but it was also feature writing, and investigative journalism and critical journalism. Today, we are faced with what is called yellow journalism, where journalists sometimes look like they are just scratching on the surface. He was not that kind. So, we hope that young people, young journalists will come in and that that legacy stays.”

Hundreds of tributes poured in on through the YouTube streaming page bidding Mseleku farewell.

Veteran sports journalist Sibusiso Mseleku laid to rest