Tributes pour in for Stardrift player Maxi Basterman
The Port Elizabeth Sport Legends Trust has paid tribute to one of its best-known footballers, Maxi Basterman, who died at the weekend.
Basterman, who was born in Port Elizabeth on December 12 1939, died in hospital on Friday after a short illness aged 80.
Such was his prowess on the football field that he was honoured by the trust as one of their legends at their 2015 gala event.
“We are really honoured and grateful to have the opportunity to honour this brilliant footballer,” PESLT trustee Graeme Sauls said.
“Our condolences go out to his family and the football fraternity at large, especially his beloved Stardrift FC.”
Basterman started his football career at Fairview Rovers in the under-12 division in 1951.
Six years later he played as right winger for Stardrift FC.
In 1958 he received his first call-up for the EP and in 1968 he was part of the team which won the Kajee Cup.
He was given the EP team captain’s armband in 1974.
The talented footballer joined PE United in 1975 until the club became defunct after the 1978 season.
The following year he returned to Stardrift where he played until his retirement in 1985.
Basterman was also instrumental in the establishment of the Stardrift Women’s team in 1983.
In 1986 he was appointed as the EP B manager.
Fellow teammates John “Lexie” Pullen and John “Boney” Bailey remembered times spent with Basterman.
“One of the proudest moments in my career was after my club Shatterprufe was relegated and Maxi approached me to join Stardrift.
“I would’ve joined, but my mother vetoed my decision,” Pullen said.
Bailey recalled how, when they played together at PE United, “Maxi just had the knack of saying the right thing after a poor result to lift our spirits”.
The NMB Former Footballers Association also paid tribute to Basterman.
In a statement sent to The Herald, NMB FFA chair Yazeed Le Roux said the association was fortunate and proud to have had “Uncle Maxi” as their elder statesman.
“He had a quiet demeanour, but spoke with authority, and initially, led all our group prayers.
“Despite being old enough to be my father, he allowed me to be his chairperson, unreservedly and unconditionally.
“During our visitations, he was rarely younger than our beneficiaries and on our last visit in New Brighton, we remarked to him how at his age (80), he still had the strength and drive to be with us.
“Had it not been for lockdown, we were to elevate his position with us to that of Association Icon.
“There’s more reason for that to happen now. RIP, Uncle Maxi.”
Basterman married Enid de Bruin in 1964 and they had seven children: sons Brian, Glen, Ralton and Thelo and daughters Maxene, Jillian and Janine.
He is survived by his partner Anne Brown, all his children, 17 grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren.
The funeral service will take place in Catherine Road, Salsoneville on Saturday at 10am.