The late Mpendulo Welcome ‘Sandawana’ Gegana, who passed away on 20 January and was credited with bringing a measure of rhythm to Alex football, has been laid to rest.
Mpendulo was buried at Waterfall Cemetery in Midrand on 27 January although his family had earlier indicated their desire to transport his body back home to KwaBhaca, formerly Mount Frere, in the Eastern Cape where he was born and also launched his career in football.
Mpendulo, as he was popularly known among the township’s football family and by his nickname, Sandawana for his unwavering love for Mamelodi Sundowns, died from diabetic complications at his Victoria Grounds residency in Lombardy East after being in and out of hospital since the lockdown last year.
At the time of his death, Sandawana was a volunteer member of the Gunners that he helped take to the SAB League after the team had spent a few years in the Promotional League of the Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association.
Before his move to Gunners, Mpendulo had spent a couple of years at Gauteng FC. He was widely regarded as a naturally-born coach with a midas touch and never held a coaching qualification but whatever team he ‘touched turned to gold’.
Within a few years after ascending to the technical staff of Gauteng FC, Mpendulo saw the team promoted to the SAB League but owner-coach Sihle ‘uMapholoba’ Ngcobo decided to sell the status of the team.
