To a man who was there when it all began…
Today marks the 100th birthday of Mighty Orlando Pirates legend Bab’omncane Alex Malewe “Motor Pirates” Tshabalala, a member of Bucs’ first team of 1937. He was born on 30 March 1922 in Doornfontein, Johannesburg. Sadly, he kicked the bucket on 13 February 1979.
His father was Mkhulu Sthende Tshabalala, who was Jozi’s prominent merchant. He commenced his educational career at Orlando St Mary’s Primary School. He furthered his higher education at the iconic Orlando High School, the first high school to be built in Soweto back in 1939. He married Gabekile (née Maseko) and they were blessed with seven children – four sons and three beautiful daughters, namely Jewel Mfowabo aka “Tsharo”, Kenneth Madoda, aka “Jairzinho”, Andrew aka “Skwita”, Ellen, Lydia Ntombizodwa, George Popi and Thalitha Khesaya (all Tshabalala). Alex got his nickname because of the prominent role he played at Pirates. It is said that he was like the heartbeat or engine of the team, whilst wearing jersey number 8, and he became the club’s secretary in 1937. He once narrated a story to me back in 1972 about Aberdeen FC from Scotland. He stated that when an exceptionally strong Aberdeen FC team made a return visit to South Africa in 1937, they looked invincible, having just finished as runners-up to Glasgow Rangers in the Scottish First Division. However, Natal made them look like an ordinary outfit. First, they defeated them 4-3 and then held on for a well-deserved 3-3 draw. Jack Benyoni, one of Aberdeen’s six players, was hospitalised with appendicitis and, despite the best efforts of the South African doctors, tragically died a few days later. After an emotional funeral in Johannesburg, it was later decided to send his body back to his Welsh homeland. As a result of this sad event, a lot of the gloss dissipated from the tour. The Scots suffered another two defeats, before bouncing back to trash the Springboks in all three “Tests”. These were valiant Springboks, who tried, in vain, to stop the powerful Aberdeen side.
The Mighty Orlando Pirates officials and players attended all Aberdeen’s matches, playing against whitesonly teams. Soon, the Buccaneers copied Aberdeen’s style of play, to such an extent that the club was once nicknamed “the Aberdeen of South Africa”. Their style of play focused mainly on team effort rather than on individual brilliance. Such an irony, considering that during this era, most teams relied on individual brilliance. The unique Orlando Pirates style of play had a “boomerang” effect in later years when their opponents started duplicating their style of play, a diamond or triangle formation with defenders starting every attack. Bucs were compelled to alter their style of play to confuse and mesmerise their clueless opponents-turned-copycats. Furthermore, he said that at Orlando Boys Club, before it changed name to Orlando Pirates, they were introduced to seven levels of African consciousness, but he remembered only the first three. Remember Orlando Boys Club had a debating team that had the likes of Peter Raboroko, Anton Lembede, Walter Sisulu, Nelson Mandela, Zephania Mothopeng, James “Magebhula” Sofasonke Mpanza, the future creme de la creme of South Africa. According to the late Mama Sophie Tema, The World newspaper journalist who transported the injured Hector Pieterson to Phefeni Clinic in her VW Beetle, “They spoke an impeccable Queen’s language. The first level is when one knows his identity or roots. The second level is intellect – that is, ability to debate and convince others. The third level was a ‘Masters’ or ‘Matwetwe’.” Alex said it was a pity some so-called leaders were still at zero level of African consciousness. One learned a lot from him, which confirms the words of Dr Irvin Khoza: “The Mighty Orlando Pirates FC is an institution.” Happy, happy birthday, Mshengu! Tshabalala! Dvonga LaMavuso! Mandlempisi!
Vuka wakwa Tshabalala, Founder CEO: James Mpanza Legacy Foundation Trust