The framed Orlando Pirates jersey Lucky Lekgwathi lifted at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night weighed less than any of the trophies he hoisted as club captain.
Six of those came in the space of two seasons, in the 2010/11 and 2011/12 campaigns, making Lekgwathi the club’s most decorated skipper.
But that framed jersey weighed more in significance as Lekgwathi retired from a professional football career that stretched over 19 years. He spent 14 of those glorious years with the Buccaneers.
The 40-year-old could barely contain his emotions when he addressed the media at the Orlando Stadium auditorium. He shook hands with everyone, in a gesture that showed why he is respected across the board.
Lekgwathi is a true gentleman who treats everyone with respect. He even returns calls, a rare thing from players. There is a journalist friend Lekgwathi returned more than just a call to. That friend had asked the skipper to pass around a jersey so that all the players could sign it. He had forgotten about it when that friend called. Lekgwathi was on his way home after he had finished training. He drove back, apologising profusely and promised to have every player sign that jersey and return it the following day. He delivered on his promise.
That’s the type of man Lekgwathi is, caring, honourable and dignified. Being honoured like that was a nice touch to a man whose blood is black and white. There were times when he played without a contract while the club’s chairman, Irvin Khoza, was away on business. He was loyal which is why he lasted so long in a team like Pirates where demands are high.
But the low-key manner of his send-off was disappointing. That’s the thing with surprises - sometimes they don’t work out. As much as the Buccaneers should be applauded for their gesture, since few clubs honour their legends, they could have done better.
Firstly, they should have publicised it. Yes, that would have taken away the surprise element. There would have been more people than the half-empty crowd that Lekgwathi bowed out in front of. There were people who weren’t in the venue who would have come just to bid farewell to their captain. Pirates could have even roped in their sponsors, adidas, to produce even the most basic T-shirts with the No14. It’s a special number for Lekgwathi. He spent 14 years at the club, wore jersey No14 and amassed 14 Bafana Bafana caps. A shirt with that number and a message of goodbye would have been a great memento for the fans who braved a cold Joburg night.
Hopefully they give Lekgwathi a testimonial match, another thing that’s rare in the country. I have seen only one in my time that was prominently publicised, when Doctor Khumalo retired at Kaizer Chiefs. There were talks that Thabo Mooki would be honoured but it never materialised. This isn’t just a football problem, but a South African issue. We rarely honour our heroes when they’re alive but we are quick to pay them glowing tributes when they’re dead, even naming things after them when they’re not there to celebrate those achievements. Those gestures mean more when those people are alive.
There is talk that Lekgwathi will be given an office job by the club he served with distinction. That would be a great way to honour him. I feel our clubs miss a trick by not roping in their legends upon retirement. Even though it had its flaws, what the Sharks did by roping in John Smit as their chief executive was a stroke of genius. Of course they had a business-minded person working in the shadows but the presence of Smit went a long way towards persuading some sponsors and talent to join the Sharks.
It’s something football should also do. Imagine a young defender, who might have looked up to Lekgwathi, having the man step into his house with a Pirates contract. And then another team comes up with some suit for the same player. Chances are they could be drawn into going with someone they looked up to. But that doesn’t mean those legends should just bank on their status to get them jobs.
They should empower themselves so they come with more than just their names.
That could even see former players playing a more prominent role in the running of the game. - Saturday Star