Jantjies mourned
Tributes pour in for former football star
THE football fraternity in the Western Cape is mourning the death of former Cape Town Spurs, Hellenic and Santos playmaker Reggie Jantjies.
He passed away in hospital on Wednesday.
SA Football Association (Safa) president Danny Jordaan said: “Jantjies used to entertain us with his skills many years ago, and is one of the heroes of yesteryear who made us love the game even more during the difficult times back then.
“A giant has really fallen and it is a great loss not only to Cape Town or the Western Cape, but to the whole country.
“On behalf of the entire Safa council and the football fraternity in general, I would like to take this opportunity to wish his family strength during these trying times.
“May they be comforted as we join them in mourning this fallen hero. May his soul rest in peace.”
Jantjies suffered from diabetes and had recently had his left leg amputated.
From Stellenbosch, Jantjies rocketed to prominence as a teenager and went on to star for Spurs and Hellenic in the professional ranks.
Later, as a coach, he revived football at Stellenbosch University, where he did very well with Maties FC.
He has been described as not just an extraordinarily talented footballer, but a real character, a larger-than-life personality who always had time for everybody.
In order to acknowledge Jantjies’s contribution to football in the region, Cape Town City will call on the crowd to stand up and applaud in the seventh minute (Jantjies wore the number 7 jersey), on Saturday, when they host Kaizer Chiefs at the Cape Town Stadium.
Jantjies is survived by his wife‚ Esther‚ and three children.