Tributes pour in for sports administrator

NEWS of the death of sports administrator Mvuzo Martin Mbebe yesterday left many South Africans saddened.

The 52-year-old died in hospital after years of battling with colon cancer.

Mbebe is survived by his wife Nomalungelo and his two children, Ntsika and Avuziwe.

He held several senior sports administration posts during his career, including chief executive of the National Sports Council and secretary-general of Athletics South Africa.

He was also the group execu- tive of content enterprises at the SABC.

His family said in a statement: “Mvuzo has touched so many people’s lives during his time among us and he will be remembered for his excellent, larger-than-life nature, his kindness and willingness to help.

“The family wish to thank all those who took time to visit him in hospital as well as those who remembered him through prayer.”

The portfolio committee on sport and recreation also paid tribute to Mbebe.

“The committee is saddened at the loss of such an experi- enced sport administrator. As the chief executive of the local organising committee of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and the African Nations Championships, he ensured that tournaments of this magnitude ran smoothly,” committee chairwoman Beauty Dlulane said.

The committee also wished his family strength.

A memorial service will be held tomorrow at 1pm at the Our Lady of Loreto Catholic Church, 3 Kweper Street, Kempton Park. The funeral will take place on Tuesday at Mbebe’s hometown of Mzimkhulu in the Eastern Cape.