Beloved SA rugby commentator Ntunja dies
The family of much-loved SA rugby commentator Kaunda Ntunja confirmed yesterday that he had died at the age of 38.
Ntunja was widely regarded as one of the SA’s best television commentators because of his innovative and energetic style of commentating on matches for SuperSport with the likes of Kaya Malotana and Lonwabo Mtimka.
“It is with deep sadness I confirm the passing of our beloved brother Kaunda Ntunja earlier today [Monday] in East London‚” his sister Tando Ntunja said on social media.
“As you can imagine‚ we are still trying to make sense of this tragic news, and we ask for your love‚ care and discretion as we prepare to lay my big brother to rest.”
SuperSport CEO Gideon Khobane said the news had come as a massive shock.
“The SuperSport family is devastated,” he said.
“Kaunda was larger than life; a generous, warm-hearted man who cared deeply for the game he loved and the people within.
“He will be terribly missed by us all.”
Ntunja had played as a flanker and one of his career highlights included captaining the SA Schools side in 2000.
He was part of the Free State Cheetahs side that won the Currie Cup in 2005.
Ntunja was educated at Dale College in King William’s Town.
Sadly, injury meant that his career, which included junior rugby at the Sharks, and first-class rugby at the Cheetahs, Lions and Border, never fully took off.
Fortunately, he was approached to do isiXhosa commentary while injured in 2009.
He never looked back, proving to be an orator of skill.
Ntunja won several national awards for broadcasting.
A creative type, having studied drama and theatre, he made his acting debut in the local drama Grassroots last year, playing a mentor to a young rugby player who moved from the Eastern Cape to Johannesburg on a scholarship. —