Madigage to be buried next Sunday
Bafana Bafana assistant coach Thomas Madigage will be buried at his home area of Driekop, Limpopo, next Sunday.
Madigage died late on Thursday when his Mercedes Benz crashed into two donkeys and then an oncoming vehicle’s trailer, in Burgersfort, 30 km from his home. Despite attempts to revive him, Madigage died on the scene.
His memorial service will take place in Johannesburg on Friday.
Speaking after leading a high-powered South African Football Association (Safa) delegation that went to console the Madigage family on Friday, Safa president Kirsten Nematandani told the grieving family that the country had lost an individual whose life had touched many South Africans.
“Thomas represented every sector of society - the church, football and the community - and the outpouring of grief that has resulted from his sudden death is proof of his humble and well-loved nature.
South Africa will never have another Thomas Madigage, and we as Safa will work closely with the family in these times of mourning,” said Nematandani.
Safa CEO Robin Petersen said he was still failing to come to terms with the fact that (Thomas) Madigage was no more. He said the fact that messages of condolences were pouring in from around the world, speaks volume of the impact Madigage had on people from all walks of life.
“We have no simple answers to Thomas’s sudden death. Thomas was humble and dedicated to his work, but at the same time full of life; he was truly a gift to the nation. He will be sadly missed,” said Dr Petersen.
Coach Gordon Igesund, who was part of the delegation that also included second assistant coach, Serame Letsoaka, team manager, Barney Kujane and head of national teams, Ace Kika, struggled to hold back tears when he met Madigage’s 84-year old mother, Pauline.
“Tommy was not only my colleague, he was an honest friend, wonderful person and I will not find another sincere individual like him. I have been robbed of a true friend,” said an emotional Bafana coach.
Madigage played 311 games during his illustrious career and scored 51 goals. He had four caps for Bafana Bafana and was assistant coach for Supersport United from 2004-2012, helping them win three successive league titles from 2008-2010.
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