Tributes pour in for sports reporter Sibongile Manga
Speakers queuing to say a word about Sibongile Manga who was instrumental in uniting soccer fans through radio.
Image: Phiri Cawe
The family of Sibongile Manga was happy that their son was loved by so many people. The Manga family thanked everyone for the support and also for organising a memorial service for him.
Image: Phiri Cawe
Local soccer fans from all over the province came to pay their last respects to broadcaster Sibongile Manga. The supporters sang their hearts out to show respect for the man they loved.
Image: Phiri Cawe
The football community united to pay tribute to former sports reporter Sibongile Manga at a memorial service hosted at the Believers of God Church in Khayelitsha last Saturday.
The community extended its heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones and the football fraternity.
Speakers from different football clubs described Manga as a hero who selflessly dedicated his life to the upliftment and development of soccer in the metro and province.
Manga Manga, as he was affectionately known, died this month after a short illness, while in the Eastern Cape.
He spent most of his years working for the community radio station, Zibonele, before heading out to the Eastern Cape to seek green pastures.
A friend and Kaizer Chiefs supporter, Zandile Mahlathi, said Manga’s death came too soon.
She said she had not thought that she would hear such news about the man who was always friendly, fresh and talkative. “I think I speak for many to say we are deeply saddened by the loss. We were not expecting this from him. We were still looking forward to hearing his voice on the radio and around us. Manga was such a lovely man and in this time of tragedy, we are reaching out to his family to offer support,” she said.
Another soccer fan, Nombuyiselo Olifant, said they were looking forward to interacting with him again. He also described Manga as somebody who loved everybody irrespective of the team they supported.
Mzukisi Thengile from the Mamelodi Sundowns supporters called for unity of fans in the province. He said the passing of Manga should unite them to do positive things for the community.
His close friend, Ace Zondani, said when he received a call while he was in Gauteng about Manga’s passing, he could not believe it. He said on the day of his passing he made a call to Manga after thinking about him. But the call was not answered.
“I then called again and a woman picked it up and I told her I was looking for Manga. To my surprise, this woman told me that the person I was looking for had passed on 30 minutes ago and they were looking for his family. I was distraught. I could not believe it.”
Mr Zondani said the football community has lost a man who was able to bring unity among soccer fans.
Also present were his former colleagues and members of the media from different organisations who also paid tribute to Manga. He will be buried in Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape this coming weekend.