Johannesburg - Steve Kalamazoo Mokone will leave a great legacy for South African football according to minister of sport and recreation Fikile Mbalula.
The ashes of Mokone, one of the greatest footballers South Africa has ever produced, returned to South Africa on Friday evening. Mokone died on March 20 in Baltimore in the United States, aged 82, and in accordance with his wishes his ashes will be scattered at a football stadium in South Africa.
“We respect his wishes, to not mourn his life but to educate a generation,” said Mbalula at OR Tambo international where the the widow of Mokone, Louise, was in attendance along with SA Football Association president Danny Jordaan.
“He said he was prepared to rest in peace with the knowledge future generations could learn from his life. He left us a great legacy.”
Mokone, born in 1932, moved from Durban Bush Bucks to Coventry City in 1955, and became the first black South African to play in Europe.
“Even in trying times he stood the test of time to triumph over adversity,” said Mbalula. “We are unashamedly in the presence of greatness, he opened the way for South Africa and Africa for players to go abroad.”
A stint at Heracles Almelo in the Dutch third division followed, where he had instant success and later in the 1990s a street in Amsterdam was named Kalamazoo in tribute to his exploits. Later he would join illustrious clubs Barcelona, Marseille, Dynamo Kiev, Torino and Cardiff City.
Jordaan paid tribute to the efforts of Mokone in the fight against apartheid. “The nation is welcoming home a long lost son,” said Jordaan. “The obstacles at the time did not stop him chasing his dream in football.”
Jordaan said Mokone was a key figure in opposition to the South African government through his sporting exploits. “Hendrik Verwoerd said in 1953 there is no place for a Bantu in the European community. Kalamazoo dismissed that notion, he debunked that pillar of apartheid.”
Jordaan said he was satisfied Mokone’s story would be told for future generations. “Those who played in the 1950s are forgotten heroes, nobody really writes about them. He was a hidden hero both on and off the field, also with his contribution to the fight against apartheid.” Louise thanked Safa and the minister for help to fulfill her husband’s last wishes.
“Thank you so much for this opportunity. My husband loved soccer, that was more important than eating,” she said. “I can assure you he is smiling from wherever he is. I’m so pleased I could follow his wishes to return to the land of his birth.”
ANA