Rugby heroes’ honours
THE Claremont Main Road Mosque (CMRM) paid tribute, yesterday, to five non-racial rugby legends who died in close succession during June and July.
Rugby legends Salie Dollie, Achmat Isaacs, Salie Fredericks, Yusuf Allie, and former captain of the Kwa-Zakhele Rugby Union (Kwaru) Welile James “Bomza” Nkohla, have been described as some of the greatest players to grace South Africa’s rugby pitches.
They all sadly died within months of each other.
Imam Rashied Omar said this had inspired the mosque to invite some of the province’s most notable rugby legends to honour and celebrate them.
“These rugby legends excelled in the non-racial rugby era but were not afforded higher accolades and the glory they deserved during their lifetimes,” said Omar.
Event organiser Jaamia Galant said: “Within the period of June and July, the same people were meeting each other at the funerals of their friends and felt that their fellow legends were not honoured while they were alive.
“These men faced adversity and challenges during a very difficult time in our country’s history and those contributions have not been recognised today.”
Special guests who were also honoured included Kwaru rugby legend Temba Ledwaba, Western Province Rugby president Thelo Wakefield, Saru deputy president Francois Davids, rugby legend Yusuf “Jowa” Abrahams, and Primrose Rugby Club and current Spine Road High principal Riyaadh Najaar.
Ledwaba said everyone had a part to play in ensuring their histories and legacies were always remembered in communities and the country’s rugby history.
“When Joost van der Westhuizen died his name was all over the news for an entire week…
“We must become more involved within rugby structures at school and grassroots level and ensure our legacies and also the future of our game,” said Ledwaba.
Wakefield said he was humbled by the tribute he received and vowed that for the Western Province Union, transformation remained non-negotiable.