Tribute paid to ‘gentle giant’ Funde
Known as a hard-tackling flank, Solomon “MaBoyce” Funde will also be remembered as a gentle giant who loved the game of rugby as much as he did his family.
Funde died last Monday after a long battle with illness, his son Ndyedo Funde said this week.
Temba Ludwaba, a former EP and Springbok teammate, said they grew up in the Korsten area, both moving to New Brighton in the early ’50s, where Funde stayed until his death.
“He played for Union, while I played for Spring Rose.
“We both received [provincial] colours and, later on, we received national colours,” Ludwaba said.
Speaking about the type of man Funde was, Ludwaba said: “When we played against each other it was a war, but once the game was over, we were the best of friends.
“We would attend functions with our ladies and have a good time,” Ludwaba said.
“Being such a gentleman away from the game, Funde was quite aggressive on the field, but off the field, he was very nice, always smiling,” he said.
Ludwaba said both men attained provincial colours in 1964, while they earned national colours a year apart – Funde in 1967, and Ludwaba a year later.
According to information provided to The Herald by Ndyedo, Funde served time on Robben Island and at Victor Verster Prison in Paarl for his involvement in the Pan Africanist Congress, which was then banned.
Funde is survived by his wife, a son, three daughters, siblings and grandchildren.
The funeral will be at Kaizer Ngxama parish on Saturday.