Soccer icon and revolutionary
Born: September 5 1951 Died: September 4 2016 Funeral: September 11 2016 Burial: Atteridgeville Cemetery
SOCCER maestro and political activist Nkosi Potjo Molala, 65, who spent time on Robben Island for his Black Consciousness Movement (BCM) activities, has died in hospital after a long illness.
Born on September 5 1951, Molala was one of Emilie and Malisela Molala’s eight children.
He attended St Anne’s Roman Catholic School in Pretoria until Standard 5 (now Grade 7). From 1966 to 1969, he attended St Paul’s Minor Seminary at Hammanskraal. He subsequently matriculated in 1971 at Pax College in Pietersburg (now Polokwane).
Molala entrenched his name in football circles in the 1970s while he played for the Pax College team where they would sometimes play against Turfloop University.
He was soon spotted by Bantu Callies, which later changed its name to Pretoria Callies. Alongside great soccer stars like Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe, Molala played for the professional side from 1972 to 1976 when he was arrested for his political activism in the heyday of the BCM.
His dribbling wizardry earned him the nickname “Let Them Dance”, or simply “LTD”. It came as no surprise that in 1974 he was picked to represent the country in the SA Black XI, which played against, among others, Brazilian club Fluminense in Botswana.
Azapo official Nelvis Qekema said: “Molala is that rare breed that comes once in a lifetime. We still can’t figure out how he could become a great football star of the calibre of Masterpieces Moripe, Ace Ntsoelengoe and Jomo Sono, and still be a revolutionary leader of the calibre of Julius Nyerere and Steve Biko at the same time.”
Qekema added: “There is no doubt that he was a frighteningly gifted person and a well-read leader who communicated authoritatively and persuasively with both mouth and pen.
“Proof of his leading from the front is that he lost his left eye when he was hit by a teargas canister that was fired at the mourners who were burying about 27 activists that were shot by the police.
“He had an admirable athletic body and that encouraged him to favour his Bermuda shorts, golf T-shirts and snickers.
“The irony of life is that valuable people often die too early, while others live too long and even defeat heart attacks and strokes.
“We share the same frustration and anger at Molala’s untimely death. We are even angrier that he died without finding sufficient space to utilise his talents to serve his people to the best of his ability.”
Molala had a masters degree in economics. He was married to Olita Ramphile, and the two had sons Tebogo and Khutso, who are studying for their masters in medicine and law respectively.
“Our father taught us discipline and encouraged us to stand for our rights. Remember, he stood for Black Consciousness his entire life. He taught us humility as well,” said Tebogo, who added that his father also studied to become a priest through a Catholic seminar but did not finish the course.
Long-time friend and comrade Patrick Molai spoke highly of Molala: “When he was released from Robben Island, I was part of the reception committee that welcomed him back. He was very friendly, highly intelligent and disciplined and he loved his coffee. He had a very big mug and would have his coffee after every game.”
Despite Molala’s deep involvement in politics, he still managed to help establish the very first trade union for football players, which was called Sopusa.
He also became the chairman of the South African Masters and Legends Football.
In a 1987 interview, he cautioned blacks that the “the abolition of apartheid will not constitute a solution to their situation. If apartheid is abolished, black people will still have to contend with the problems of staff reductions, rising prices, and falling wages”.
His memorial service was held yesterday at the Atteridgeville Community Hall at 5pm, while the funeral service will be on Sunday at the Saulsville Arena at 8am.