Shaka’s Head basketball players shoot hoops for murdered teammate Phumlani

Local players gave it their all during a basketball tournament held in honour of a fellow player who was murdered last year.

The Shaka’s Head tournament paid tribute to resident and player, Phumlani Chenge (21), who was stabbed and killed last December.

Phumlani was a part-time lifeguard and started a basketball team in Shaka’s Head to give children a safe place to go after school.

His friend and coach, Thulani Msane who runs a non-profit organization called Style Bene based in Groutville thanked everyone who came to support the tournament.

“I was coaching Phumlani and he was a very promising player. In hosting a tournament at his township, we hope that we can attract more children to be part of the sport and keep them off the streets,” said Msane.

Msane said there was a time when he stopped coaching basketball and focused on his job, working as a security guard in Ballito.

But it was Phumlani who convinced him to return to help him develop the sport in Shaka’s Head.

“It is painful that we did not work together for long before he was killed. But I want to make sure that I continue with the work he started. He was very committed to helping children play basketball. Locally he will always be our hero.”

Six teams from Shayamoya, Melville and Shaka’s Head competed, with both the boys and girls teams from Shayamoya claiming overall bragging rights.

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