Deli was crazy over soccer

SABC sports journalist Delisile “Deli” Ngwenya was born on October 13 1986 at eMoyeni in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal. She was the only child of the late Simon and Nonhlanhla Ngwenya.

A smart and articulate child with a love for music, she completed her primary schooling at Sbavana Primary in Bergville and proceeded to Amangwane High School and matriculated in 2001 at Ladysmith High.

After a bit of a lull, her tertiary studies saw her move to Boston Media House in Sandton, Johannesburg, where Ngwenya completed her diploma in media studies.

Delisile’s love for music was picked up from her late father but that did not seem to match her love for football.

That explained why she took to her position with the Ukhozi FM radio show PSL Sekunjalo in July 2014 with the ease that a duck would take to water.

She was assigned to Maritzburg United and her joy in seeing the club finishing in the top eight was palpable.

Their poor 2015/2016 form equally depressed her but her positive outlook on life always made her seek the silver lining in any dark cloud.

United's improving form towards the end of 2015 and the start of this year made her very happy and this was evident with her interactions with the players and coaches.

Ahead of the Orlando Pirates clash, which was tragically to be the last time she would cover a football game, she had a long chat with the late Mondli Cele on the Thursday after training. No one knew then that their friendship would move on together into the afterlife.

She watched the Maritzburg/Pirates clash with a joy that was not always seen and despite the thrilling draw, her night was made when Cele scored the first goal. She passed away on the morning of January 17 in Pietermaritzburg.

She leaves her mother, three cousins and siblings.