Soccer boss, Kaizer Motaung pays tribute to King Zwelithini
Calls for family to unite and protect king's legacy
By SIHLE MKHIZE
Kaizer Chiefs chairman, Kaizer Motaung has joined the thousands of people who are sending their messages of condolences to the Zulu Royal Family following the passing on of King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu on Friday.
The king passed on after a short battle with diabetes and Covid-19 at Chiefs Albert Luthuli Memorial Hospital in Durban.
“ISilo samaBandla, his Majesty the King of the Zulu nation. He has left us. Our hearts are sore. This was really unexpected,” said Motaung.
“As much as iSilo spent some time in hospital, this was not our expectation. It is very difficult for some us to really come to terms with this.”
Motaung highlighted the king’s contribution to politics and sports during his reign.
“ISilo worked really hard to uplift our country. I remember when iSilo played a very big part in the consolidation of our emancipation of this country when there was a lot of acrimony between the political parties.
“He brought them all together to sing from the same hymn book regardless of their political persuasions.
“In our football iSilo played a significant role in ensuring that we stayed together because whatever we did we held dear the KwaZulu-Natal province for the contributions they have done politically and sports wise.
“Football was very big in Durban and the entire KZN. When we young boys, there were times we’d go to the stadium to watch the Transvaal (now Gauteng) play against other provinces. KwaZulu-Natal was one of the prominent provinces when it came to football.
“But most of all, I would like to thank the king and his family for having made it possible for us to get close to the king. One of my co-directors, China Ngema was very close to the king and that’s how I got close to the king as well.
“He always conveyed the messages from the king about our welfare and success in whatever we did. The king was our number one patron in football and we will always hold him in high regard in our hearts.
“We send our sincere condolences to his family and hope that they can be able to restore their faith once more in our Lord to continue the legacy of the king, and not succumb to the whims of what normally happens when a lease has gone.
“They must unite as a family which will also help us unite as a nation to be behind the legacy of the king. ISilo has left us… You may have left us, all we can say is may your soul rest in peace,” said Motaung in a recorded message sent to the media on Monday afternoon.
