Last Tuesday, the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality Council chamber was filled with laughter as sports enthusiasts gathered for the launch of the Schoolboy Mathunyane School Sports Tournament.

Although the tournament concept dates back to 2015, Mathunyane’s illness forced him to step aside.

Matserere Schoolboy Mathunyane (74), a former high school teacher and the late father of council speaker Thato Mathunyane, left a lasting impact on the community through sports.

During the launch, former pupils shared heartfelt stories about how Mathunyane’s involvement in sports had influenced their lives.

His son, Thato, shared that his father had a passion for sports, which led him to study sports management at the then Transvaal College of Education (now Tshwane University of Technology’s humanities campus in Soshanguve) in the early 1980s.

He started his teaching career at Sozama Secondary School in 1974, where he taught geography and served as the head of the department until his retirement in 2019.

He trained various athletes, netball and soccer players, and also trained and coached Ethel Mnguni, one of the first black women to compete overseas.

Former Sozama learner JJ Mnisi attributed his current discipline in life to Mathunyane, who trained him in athletics.

The revived tournament will feature schools within the municipality and has partnered with SAFA and the local football association.

Giji Motha of SAFA said 15 schools, including the Nkangala TVET College, will compete in various sporting codes.

The finals are scheduled for July 13, on Mathunyane’s birthday.