Rugby community mourns commentator Kaunda Ntunja
SA sports lovers mourned the death of irrepressible rugby commentator and former Dale College pupil Kaunda Ntunja on Monday.
Ntunja was widely regarded as one of the best television commentators in the country, with his innovative and energetic style of delivering matches on SuperSport together with the likes of Kaya Malotana and Lonwabo Mtimka.
“Liqhasu, Yi Bubbly, Yi Shampopo, Shampeezy, ooh intwe’ hlwahlwazayo! (loosely translated as ‘open a champagne bottle for a toast’), Ntunja famously rejoiced as wing Makazole Mapimpi scored in the Springbok’s Rugby World Cup final win against England in November 2019.
The 38-year-old’s family confirmed his death in East London on Monday.
“It is with deep sadness I confirm the passing of our beloved brother Kaunda Ntunja earlier today [Monday] in East London‚ Eastern Cape‚” his sister Tando Ntunja said on social media.
Ntunja, better know by his clan name Zizi, was a presenter on the SuperSport rugby show Phaka.
He co-hosted the show with Makhaya Jack, known as Dabane.
“The duo of Zizi and Dabane has a massive global following and we love you all for following and supporting my brother’s pioneering efforts,” Tando said.
SuperSport CEO Gideon Khobane said people at the channel were devastated.
“Kaunda was larger than life; a generous, warmhearted man who cared deeply for the game he loved and the people within. He will be terribly missed by us all.”
A first-team rugby player in his high school years at Dale in King William’s Town, Ntunja also captained the SA Schools side in 2000.
He went on to play for the Border Bulldogs and Free State Cheetahs.
He won the Currie Cup with the Cheetahs in 2005.
Ntunja had strident views on transformation and was in many ways a pioneer for black rugby, having become the first black captain of SA Schools.
Tando told the Dispatch the family would release a comprehensive media statement soon.
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said: “Kaunda left an indelible mark on the local rugby landscape, and we will miss seeing his broad smile and hearing his voice at our rugby matches in future.
“This is a tragic loss; he left us too soon.
“Our thoughts are with the Ntunja family, and all of his friends and colleagues for this terrible loss — the SA rugby community is much poorer without Kaunda Ntunja.”
Social commentator Khaya Dlanga said on his Twitter account: “Anybody who understands Xhosa, and even those who do not, could feel the emotion and pride in his voice as he introduced Siya Kolisi as the first black Springbok captain.
“Kaunda’s voice in the commentary box will forever be that of a champion.
“He made us love rugby even more.”
Meanwhile, UDM leader Bantu Holomisa confirmed the death of party stalwart, Mabandla Gogo on Monday, who was a councillor at the King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality.
Holomisa did not say what the cause of death was.
Breaking the news on his social media pages on Monday, Holomisa said Gogo died in hospital.
"We are awaiting for postmortem results. Our condolences to his wife, family, friends and UDM members. Bon voyage Jola. You have served your party with distinction.
“Had it not been for the lockdown period and its regulations we would give you a heroe's farewell.
“May your soul rest in peace. What a brave man he was," he said.
Gogo served as the party's spokesperson for years.