Rugby stalwart passes on
Ambassador of non-racial sport, a family man who loved people
Border and Frontier SA Cup Rugby legend Nkululeko Matata, fondly known as ‘Jake’ or Qabane, passed away on Saturday, November 19.
Matata, hailed as a stalwart of Breakers Rugby Football Club, Komani, the Border Rugby Union and the Frontier Rugby Union, passed away peacefully at his home, though his death was unexpected by his family.
His funeral will be held this Saturday, at 9am, at the Nonzwakazi Methodist Church in Mlungisi, with the burial procession proceeding to the Komani Town Cemetery.
Breakers president Siyabulela Rawula, said Matata had mostly played rugby for Breakers, where he started out, and later for Good Hope RFC in Qonce, where he worked.
He had the honour of being selected for the Frontier Rugby Union in the Saru nonracial rugby days, a fully-fledged union during the 1970s and ‘80s.
He played mostly as a lock due to his towering 2m-tall frame, which came in handy during those days before lifting in the lineout was allowed.
Matata has been described as a prominent sportsman, an ambassador of non-racial sport and a specialist lock forward who helped place Komani on the map.
His second-born daughter, Ayanda Matata, said her father’s passing had been unexpected.
“The sudden death of our father was unexpected as he was his normal self and did not show signs of illness. He died peacefully in his sleep,” she said.
“He celebrated his birthday a few days before his passing and was happy that God granted him the 70 years that he wanted to reach.
“His sudden passing has left a deep wound that will take time to heal.”
She said his children would remember him as a loving father, grandfather and family man.
He was brought up in the old location, which is now referred to as Bede, and in Khayelitsha, where he had still resided with his family.
Ayanda said her father had a deep compassion for the community in which he had grown up.
“He had great love for people and always made them laugh as he had a great sense of humour,” she said.
Matata will be sorely missed by his family, his beloved Breakers rugby family and the community at large.