By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Scores of mourners gathered in Mamelodi, Pretoria, on Tuesday morning to bid their final farewell to the long-serving flamboyant Mamelodi Sundowns’ official, Alex Shakoane.
Shakoane died over a week ago following a short illness and will be remembered for his contribution in sport more expecially football.
Joined by dignitaries and mourners were his family, Tlhopane Motsepe, the chairperson of Sundowns, CAF president Patrice Motsepe and his wife, Doctor Precious, as well as Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi.
One of the speakers at the ceremony was Louis “The Sprinter” Tshakoane, a former Kaizer Chiefs public relations officer, who said that Alex’s spirit must never die.
His daughter Lerato spoke of how much their father loved Sundowns.
Lerato said: He always said his job came before us, and he will always love Sundowns.
The club’s owner, Patrice Motsepe, spoke of how Shakoane loved the team and said “he has been welcomed into heaven”. “Every time I called him or when he called we would talk about Bafana ba Style. Our slogan, the sky is the limit, means I can fulfil my dreams and become whatever I want.”
Lesufi said Shakoane was everything that Sundowns is. “On the issue of HM Pitje Stadium, those who know me know that I don’t talk but I do,” Lesufi said about Shakaone’s last wish to see Sundowns returning to play their home matches at the now dilapidated Mamelodi stadium.
Sundowns chair Thlopie Motsepe, who took over the running of the club when his father was elected Caf president in 2020, read a letter from Fifa president Gianni Infantino who described Shakoane as an “iconic figure”.
His personality will not be forgotten and he will be truly missed. We hope his memories and our word of support will bring comfort and peace to his loved ones at this time,” Infantino wrote.
The funeral was conducted a few hours before Sundowns play their final DStv Premiership match of the season against Maritzburg United at the Loftus Stadium on Tuesday evening. They will be crowned champions for a record sixth time in a row and 13th time overall since the PSL started in 1996.
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Video Courtesy of Sundowns.