It is not a practice to name lasting heritage in particular infrastructural facilities or institutions after people while still leaving. When this happens, the individual must have been a significantly influential individual and absolute legend.
This has been the reason of the KZN Department of Sport, Arts and Culture undertook to pay a befitting tribute to Siyabonga Sangweni of the Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana fame by building and naming an iconic sport complex after him yesterday on Saturday, right in his home village of Dondotha near Empangeni on the north where he remains an idolised hero and role model.
The eventful day was led by Sport, Arts Culture MEC Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba and featured a number of activities to showcase and test multimillion Rand facility. Construction was funded jointly by the provincial and National Sport Arts and Culture Department through the Sports Trust agency.
During the Saturday event also attended by national representatives, a number of fellow former soccer players from various PSL teams came to witness the historic event and played in two extremely entertaining games to the amusement of spectators who filed the magnificently stand-out grandstand.
This was in the KZN Legends vs King Cetshwayo legends where the latter and hosts had a walk-over of 3-0. Siyabonga Sangweni’s Orlando Pirates, Legends were somewhat an equal match for Kaizer Chiefs legend with all very well-known legend such as Josta Dladla, Brian Baloyi, Willlard Katsande, Siyabonga Nomvete, Tefu Mashamaite, NhkanhlanKubheka, Jabu Pyle, Bevan Fransman, Thuso Phaala,bRefiwe Letsolonyane and Billiat Khuzwayo. But it was the legendary Chiefs team who honours and lifted the silverware after a prolonged marathon penalty shoot-out lasting 13 shots. each.
Siyabonga captained an equally celebrated team featuring among others the legendary Jerry “The Legs of Thunder” Skhosana.
The community was also treated to a number of artistic performing including Maskandi, hip-hop and comedy. The day had started with coaching cleanings for the upcoming footballers conducted by those who have played the beautiful game at the highest level.
