Doctor Khumalo’s tears for late daughter
‘16V’ saw daughter take her last breath
Doctor Khumalo has opened up about the death of his daughter Theonada in a heartwrenching tribute.
Khumalo penned the tribute in Soccer Laduma, where he remembered the last moments of his daughter and the unique father-daughter relationship they shared. Theonada, 25, passed away in hospital last week following a car crash.
Doctor described her as jolly and full of life, a pillar of strength and a woman with the brave heart of a man.
“I saw my daughter when she was born, and I held her hand when she took her last breath,” he wrote. He said when she was in hospital, he always hoped she would be discharged and return home.
Khumalo, who was also known as “16V” during his heyday at Kaizer Chiefs, said although he couldn’t spend enough time with Theonada, the little they had was “always out of this world”.
He said she remained levelheaded even when her father was a soccer legend. “[She] was never one to go out there and disrespect people, regardless of their status or whether they have or have not ...
“I’m not the kind of person who likes to expose or talk in public about family matters because I’m a very private individual, and that’s not going to change, but I feel like I owe it to her to tell this story.”
Theonada spoke at his 50th birthday party, where Khumalo said she spoke “unbelievable” things about their relationship that blew him and other guests away.
“I didn’t know that was your goodbye ... I will continue to hold you in my heart wherever I go ... Daddy will always love you.”