An assembled class of Amakhosi royalty gathered at the Kaizer Chiefs Village on Thursday afternoon as the Club welcomed a number of its former students who have represented the Amakhosi since their inception in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and at the beginning of the 2000’s.
A beaming Kaizer Chiefs chairman Kaizer Motaung was surprised by the caliber of club legends who had gathered at Naturena, up to 35 of them including club luminaries such as Absalom ‘Scara’ Thindwa , Nelson ‘Teenage’ Dladla, Jan ‘Malombo’ Lechaba, Marks ‘Go-Man-Go’ Maponyane and Doctor ’16’ Khumalo.
The legends had gathered to discuss topics including arrangements for the funeral of former Chiefs player Jerry Sadike, who died last week and will be laid to rest on Friday, as well as the Club’s visit to KwaZulu-Natal at the end of August to an event in honor of the club’s former manager and stalwart, Mr. China Ngema, in his hometown of Nongoma.
“I have to shake everyone’s hand, because I can’t believe who came here today. These players were an important part of our history from the beginning. We appreciate their contributions and want to continue bringing them together as often as possible. We want to use them to help develop the current first team and our young players,” the Kaizer Chiefs chairman said.
The club has embarked on a process of embracing its legacy and the club’s marketing director, Jessica Motaung, said former Chiefs players have played a huge role in helping the club value and appreciate its history and his contribution to South African society.
“Our history, in many ways, is important to the club’s legacy. Engaging with our legends and carrying out various projects with them is part of this very crucial part of our heritage as a family, not just a football club,” Motaung said.
“We are working on a program with our legends that is engaging and encompassing. We have worked with some foreign clubs in this regard and shared ideas with them. We have an idea of how we want to do this and an exciting road ahead with our legends,” added Motaung.
Speaking on behalf of the Chiefs players of the 1970s, Lucky Stylianou, a history maker when he joined the Chiefs in 1978 as one of the first white players to play for the Club, said: ” Legends and former players are an important part of the journey. of this Club and are role models. They play a vital role in the community and it is important that everyone came together today. The social change that took place in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s was due to the leadership of people like President Kaizer Motaung.
Former Chiefs striker Maponyane said he was very happy to be part of a process in which the club engages more with its former players.
“Legends can help the current generation of players realize how important the team is. When you talk to them about before and if they don’t hear from those who have played for the Club, they think that you’re talking about people who don’t exist. It’s an important time and it’s vital that we meet at times like this and share memories and be joyful,” Maponyane said in her own way. usual bubbly.
The great Jan Malombo Lechaba also shared his thoughts saying, “I hope and I am convinced that this is not the last time we meet. We would like to be part of the team journey and motivate players to win games.
The last word was left to former Chiefs goalkeeper Brian ‘Spiderman’ Baloyi, who spoke on behalf of the latest generation of Chiefs players saying: “We want to bring a lot to this club. We love Kaizer chefs. Some of us have played for a long time in this Club and we want to be part of the Club. We cherish this moment to be among such legendary players”.