Cricket legend from eMbalenhle dies
He began playing cricket back in 1992 and was encouraged by the late former Govan Mbeki executive mayor, Sipho Nkosi who was his teacher at the time.
Cricket legend Doctor Mabena (44) has died in hospital after a short illness on July 21. Mabena is a co-founder of the eMba Cricket Club and was the first cricket player in eMbalenhle.
He began playing cricket back in 1992 and was encouraged by the late former Govan Mbeki Mayor Sipho Nkosi, who was his teacher at the time.
In his career, he started by coaching the cricket U19 school team until he obtained his cricket coaching qualification in Bakers Mini Cricket level 1 and level 2.
He played Bakers Mini Cricket as a learner at Lifalethu Primary School while he later encouraged learners from other schools to try their hand at this sport.
He also played in the South Eastern school league until he completed his matric in 1995 at Kiriyatswane Secondary School in eMbalenhle.
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His cricket team, eMba Cricket Club, became affiliated with the South Eastern senior league in 1997. Mabena then began coaching for the Mpumalanga provincial cricket union.
He coached the U13, U15, U17, U18, and U19 teams as well as the women’s cricket for special schools during the 2012/13 season. He was the eMba Cricket Club’s chairperson and coach before he died.
Bafana Sibeko, a family member, told Ridge Times that Mabena was admitted to the hospital on July 20. The family heard of his death the next day.
The Secunda Cricket Club sent their condolences to the family and friends of Doctor Mabena.
Mabena was buried on July 28 in eMbalenhle.
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