A true gentleman bows out of the game

THE framed Orlando Pirates jersey that Lucky Lekgwathi lifted at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night weighed less than any of the trophies he hoisted as the club’s captain.

Six of those trophies came in the space of two seasons, 2010/11 and 2011/12, making Lekgwathi the club’s most decorated captain. But that framed jersey carried more significance as Lekgwathi retired from a professional football career of 19 years. He spent 14 of those years with the Buccaneers.

The 40-year-old could barely contain his emotions when he addressed the media at the Orlando Stadium auditorium. He shook hands with everyone there in a gesture that shows why he is so well respected.

Lekgwathi is a true gentleman who treats everyone with respect. He even returns calls, a rare thing from players in this industry.

There is a journalist friend who Lekgwathi returned more than just a call to. That friend had asked the skipper to pass around a jersey so that all the players could sign it. He had forgotten about it when that friend called.

Lekgwathi was on his way home after he had finished training. He drove back, apologised profusely and promised to have every player sign the jersey and return it the following day. He delivered on his promise.

That’s the type of man he is, caring, honourable and dignified. Being honoured like that was a nice touch for a man whose blood is black and white. There were times when he played without a contract while club chairman Irvin Khoza was away on business. He was loyal, which is why he lasted so long in a team like Pirates, where demands are high.

But the low-key manner of his send-off was disappointing. That’s the thing with surprises. Sometimes they don’t work out.

As much as the Buccaneers should be applauded for their gesture, they could have done it better.

They should have publicised it. Yes, that would have taken away the surprise element of it but there would have been more people than the halfempty stadium that Lekgwathi bowed out in front of.

There were people who weren’t in the venue who would have come just to bid farewell to their captain.

Pirates could even have roped in their sponsors, Adidas, to produce a T-shirt with the No 14 on it. It’s a special number for Lekgwathi. He spent 14 years at the club, wore jersey No 14 and amassed 14 Bafana Bafana caps. A shirt with that number and a message of goodbye would have been a great memento for the fans who braved a cold Johannesburg night.

Hopefully, they will give Lekgwathi a testimonial match, something that’s rare in this country. I’ve only seen one prominently publicised, when Doctor Khumalo retired at Kaizer Chiefs.

This isn’t just a football problem, but a South African issue. We rarely honour our heroes when they’re alive but we’re quick to pay them glowing tributes when they’re dead, even naming things after them when they’re not there to celebrate those achievements. Those gestures mean more when those people are alive.

There is talk that Lekgwathi will be given an office job by the club he served with distinction. That would be a great way to honour him.

I feel our clubs miss a trick by not roping in their legends upon their retirement. Even though it had its flaws, what the Sharks did by using John Smit as their chief executive was a stroke of genius. Of course, they had a business-minded person working in the shadows but the presence of Smit went a long way in persuading some sponsors and talent to join the Sharks.

It’s something that I feel football should do too. But that doesn’t mean that these legends should just bank on their status to get them jobs.

They should empower themselves so that they come with more than just their names. That could even see former players playing a more prominent role in the running of the game.