Baby Jake laid to rest
Friends and family spent the better part of 13 December to bring tribute to boxing hero Baby Jake Matlala at this funeral.
Following a memorial service at the Rhema Church in Randburg, South African flyweight boxer Jacob ‘Baby Jake’ Matlala was laid to rest on 13 December.
Baby Jake died on 7 December after a long illness. As his coffin was carried into the church to the sound of a brass band, Pastor Giet Khosa told attendees not to be sad, but to celebrate the life of the boxing legend.
Khosa read a letter from president Jacob Zuma to the Matlala family. The letter read, ”When we were still processing former president Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s death the sad news came of Baby Jake’s passing. Matlala contributed to our country, even in the years of hardship and he used boxing to empower the youth. He was committed to human development and we are proud to have had him as a citizen of this country.”
Pastor Alan McCauley shared a few anecdotes about Matlala. ”He was terrified of the sea, he would only go in ankle deep,” he said. “He’d rather be in the boxing ring than go into the sea.”
McCauley also shared how Baby Jake loved ice-cream from Steers. ”One night we went to Steers and Baby Jake had his pyjamas on. He thought nobody would notice him and just sneaked in, but people recognised him and we spent a long time in that Steers.”
McCauley said Madiba and Baby Jake had jokingly sparred together. ”I can picture them in heaven talking about boxing. Baby Jake’s last fight was with illness, but God stepped into the ring and ended the fight out of mercy.”
The Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula announced that the Dube Boxing Club where Matlala started boxing at 10 years old, would be renamed after him and would be renovated.
Matlala’s oldest son Tshepo spoke about his father. ”Paps was always a family man,” he said. “I remember how he also came back from the gym and how I was always so happy to see him return. He was the king of the ring. I thank God for blessing us with our dad and the moments we spent with him.”
Matlala was buried at West Park Cemetery in Montgomery Park where his widow and sons paid their last respects. Tshepo said, ”My father will forever be a champion to me and my brother.”
