By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
Former minister of Sports, Arts and Recreation Ngconde Balfour paid tribute to the late SABC Sports commentator Dumile Mateza.
Balfour, who served as sports minister between 1999 and 2004 under former president Thabo Mbeki’s first term, said Mateza’s knowledge of sport, especially boxing, came in handy at a time when boxing was going through rough waters.
Mateza, who also enjoyed boxing commentary, also served as Boxing South Africa’s chief executive officer.
“His knowledge of the sport of boxing was put to great use when he was appointed CEO of Boxing SA by me at a time when boxing was going through extremely difficult times,” Balfour said.
“He brought stability to the sport as he commanded the respect of the various boxing role players.
“Mateza had very strong views on SA sport and was not afraid to tackle those who resisted the transformation of sport in our country.”
More than anything else, Mateza was remembered as a commentator who had deep knowledge of players.
While his terms gained more popularity in football and rugby, boxing was the sport he enjoyed the most, from where Balfour said Mateza had a skill of captivating audiences with his commentary.
“His command of the English and Nguni languages was second to none and he excelled particularly in the commentary of boxing,” Balfour said.
“Mateza made an ordinary boxing clash come alive with his voice ringing out across the boxing arena, captivating audiences.”
The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) deeply mourns the sad passing of a legendary South African Sports Commentator, Dumile Mateza. He has succumbed to cancer, leaving a remarkable legacy in his sports commenting career.
The 62-year-old renowned Sports Commentator who was born in Eastern Cape was prominent for his versatility in sports commentating through use of different South African languages. His career as a sports commentator spans over four decades and he commented on big events such as the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
In paying tribute, SASCOC President, Barry Hendricks said, “We are saddened by the passing of Dumile Mateza. A legend in the making when it comes to Sports commentary and broadcasting. As a sports sector, we have lost a great and talented colleague, who ensured that sports news was interesting to watch and listen to.”
“We applaud his commitment to sport and we are in no doubt that the legacy he leaves behind will be carried forward in similar fashion and that we are able to use his legacy as inspiration,” concluded Hendricks.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) mourns the passing of legendary sport commentator and veteran broadcaster, Dumile Mateza.
Mateza has been in broadcasting for over thirty years when he passed on. According to his family. Soccer, rugby, and boxing followers would remember Mateza’s distinct commentary across various SABC radio and television channels. He also hosted various news actuality and magazine shows.
Besides sport commentary, Mateza was passionate about writing and the entire journalism fraternity. Those who worked closely with him knew how he was never shy to express his views on the state of journalism.
Mateza was born in the Eastern Cape, before he became a broadcaster, he was a school teacher. He is famed, among others, for his Afrikaans commentary of the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa, which the Springboks won.
He had incisive views on various challenges in our sporting codes, whether it was cricket, soccer, rugby, horseracing, or boxing. In one of his various roles, he was once a board member of Boxing South Africa.
Timothy Molobi, City Press’ sport and news editor, said: “Mateza was a real doyen of sports commentary as he would take you with him to events. It was rare to find someone who was at home in three different sporting codes – rugby, football and boxing and Mateza was there with the best – a rare breed indeed. Just his voice would make you ask for more, especially when he drifted away from the game to talk about something else unrelated. He was an inspiration to many of us who looked up to him when we first came into the sports industry and learnt a lot from him. We will clearly miss his insightful knowledge of the sporting codes, and his humour. May his soul rest in peace.”
Thabiso Tema, talk radio host and sport commentator, said: “In the past two years we have all had to endure great loss as death stalked us at every turn. And yet despite its constant presence, death has not lost its sting. It was thus with great sadness that we woke up to the news of the passing of Mateza. Sad as the death of anyone is, it is difficult not smile when thinking of Mateza, as everyone fondly called him.
“That’s because of the man’s endearing personality, a larger-than life character who filled every space he occupied. Mateza was a prodigiously talented broadcaster, who shone in front of the camera and beamed on the microphone. He inspired a generation of sports casters, including myself. I admired his versatility and the depth of his insights into a variety of sports.
“He was a trailblazer who broke the mould in South African sports broadcasting, entrenching himself as the original polyglot broadcaster, equally adept in his native isiXhosa, English and most remarkably, in Afrikaans. Mateza was the consummate professional, a broadcaster who took his work and his audience very seriously. He was passionate about his craft and often bemoaned falling standards not just in broadcasting, but journalism in general.
“Mateza was unique, often imitated by never replicated. Many have mimicked and even mocked him, mostly with affection and rarely with derision. The words legend and legendary are thrown about with gay abandon these days but they certainly are not misplaced in describing the legacy of Mateza. He is a legend because his work has become legendary. The inimitable drawl shall be heard no more but shall never be silenced; that raucous guffaw will shake the walls no more but reverberate forever in our hearts.
“Broadcasting has lost a pioneer, sports administration has lost a passionate workaholic and the church has lost a faithful servant. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones along with all those who had the pleasure of calling Dumile a friend. Mateza your work here is done and the mark you leave is indelible. Thank you for paving the way for us, a new generation of sports broadcaster to showcase our talents on all platforms. We hope to do your do your legacy proud. Rest in Peace Msasazi, hamba kakuhle nkabi…sizawudibana phesheyaphaya!!
Mathews Mpete, sport editor at Daily Sun, paid tribute: “One of the very few breeds in sportscasting, a man of very few words, but vocal when faced with a microphone and TV cameras. In his heydays, Ntate Mateza, as I used to call him, was one of the sports journalists who inspired many aspiring broadcasters into the field, let alone potential boxers.
“He was versatile in isiXhosa, English and Afrikaans, and his accent and pronunciation of words is the reason we mostly fell in love with him. The last time I spent time with him was at a boxing tournament where he was commentating in Secunda, and he gave me pointers on several boxers.
“As a journalist, we’re always not shy to ask questions and need for guidance on athletes’ profiles and their means of strength, and he was willing to share.
“Ntate Mateza spoke about all boxers as if they are his friends, giving me their weaknesses and strengths, and how prolific they are in the ring. True to his predictions, the said boxers that he bet on winning, lifted their respective belts.
“This is the reason Boxing SA was at its peak when he was in their board, they too have lost a strategic mentor. He taught us a lot and for that we are grateful to his family for having borrowed him to us, and we indeed reaped a lot from his craft. Lala ngoxolo Ntate Mateza”