Dumitru leaves behind legacy
Tsakane - Local sports anchor, Votile Jack has paid a tribute to the fallen hero of South African football, Ted 'Prof' Dumitru.
The sports show host has known Dumitru for years but met and interacted with him in person in 2014 and learnt a lot from the legendary Romanian coach.
Dumitru collapsed at Eastgate Shopping Centre on May,26 and never recovered from what is suspected to be cardiac arrest at the age of 76.
He was known as ‘The Professor’, coached Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates in a career that spanned over three decades and he also coached Bafana Bafana.
Ted’s contribution was not only on the field but also on grooming up-and-coming coaches.
He left a legacy in South African football.
“I would like to send my condolences to the late Ted Dumitru’s family, friends and the coaching fraternity at large.
“As Kwatsaduza, we have very good memories of him,” the anchor says.
In 2014 he attended the maximal training course at Tsakane Stadium, to expand the training concept throughout the entire Ekurhuleni to unify coaches within the city. During his stint in Zambia, Zambia’s President Kenneth Kaunda once said of him:
“He is more than a coach; he is a son of Africa.
“He is a humanist who puts sports well-being ahead of his profession.”
“Dumitru played a big role in helping me learn a lot about life; he taught me three things: never talk badly about somebody behind their back, never be economical about the truth, and help human beings as much as you can,” says Jack.
“There is so much I can say about Ted but there is one thing I can be thankful for that he taught me football, understanding football the way it should be played.
“I will forever be thankful to him for that,” adds Jack.
