Befitting send-off for Orlando East soccer legend
Mourners remembered former Kazier Chiefs player Jerry Sadike as a brave man who firmly believed in using football to fit the brutal system of the apartheid government as they paid final tributes to the football star.
Soccer legends and the local football fraternity at large gathered at the Diepkloof Hall on Friday June 8 to pay their tributes and remember the legendary Jerry Sadike for his contribution to the South African soccer landscape.
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The Orlando East born star who was laid to rest at the West Park cemetery was described by many as a compassionate, resilient and determined player who was not afraid to use football to fight against the apartheid.
“You cannot talk about SA football without talking about Jerry. He is amongst the footballers who laid the foundation for soccer in this country,” said sports writer, Walter Mabeba.
Mabeba further described the loss as the ‘end of an era’ for local football, adding that he was one of the finest players to grace SA football.
Kazier Chiefs chairperson, Kazier Motaung also paid his tributes in a letter addressed to the family and further reminisced about Sadike’s football tenure.
“We are here to pledge our solidarity and express our condolences as a football club. We are with you and we hope that you will take this moment as a reflection of who your father was,” read Vino Maphosa corporate communications Manager at Kazier Chiefs.
“The news of Sadike’s passing came unexpected as we were planning a gathering of a meet and greet for Kazier Chiefs legends.”
In the letter, Motaung continued to say.
“He was a fine fellow that I have known in my life. Not only was he a great football star, but he was also a warm and wonderful person to be in the midst of and had an amusing character, both on and off the field of play.”
Sadike’s illustrious career in football started when he played pro for Pimville United Brothers, Orlando Pirates and Kazier Chiefs.
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‘Jair’ as he was fondly known became the first black player to join a predominantly white team, Highland Park in 1999 in the national professional soccer league, in what many at the time considered to have been a wrong move and deemed him a “sellout”.
Former Bafana Bafana head coach, Shakes Mashaba recalled when they played on the same team saying he was saddened that there was little recognition for legendary soccer players in the country.
“People like Jerry should be in the halls and corridors of all the stadiums.
“He fought for this liberation in football.
“He was the first player to play in a white team, these are the people who should have played for Bafana Bafana at the time and would have won the world cup.”
Mashaba also spoke about the deteriorating state of South African football. Not mincing his words, he shared some of the concerning issues of agents within the fraternity citing that there was a need for drastic changes.
“We won’t have more Jerrys in football again. I’m going to pray that God make sure Jerry sits in the VIP lounge and watch SA football go down the drain,” he told attendees.
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“Out of the 100% in the PSL league, only 30% are good, the rest have done favours to play.
“Bafana Bafana has been losing because of agents and officials who don’t see the importance of a national team. It’s time that our football officials open their eyes,” he said.
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