Mpendulo takes soccer rhythm with him

The pulse and rhythm of Alexandra football will never be the same again without Mpendulo Welcome ‘Sandawana’ Gegana, who passed away on 20 January at his Victoria Grounds residency in Lombardy East.

Mpendulo (55), as he was widely and affectionately known in the football family, was said to have suddenly fallen ill in June last year during the lockdown and was in and out of the hospital.

His brother, Siyabonga Gegana, said he was eventually diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and the doctor prescribed an insulin injection for diabetes. “He never realised that he had diabetes as he led an active life in football with various teams,” Siyabonga said.

He said his brother’s death came as a result of the complications of his diabetic condition. “We believe that he might not have regularly injected his insulin or even followed the prescription to the letter,” Siyabonga added.

Born in 1966 in Mount Frere, now known as KwaBhaca, in the Eastern Cape, Mpendulo obtained a Standard 6 high school qualification and played football before moving to Alexandra in 1984 to seek employment. He once worked at Frasers Furniture and Stutter Fox Furniture’s trucking company.

Soon after his arrival in Alex, he was quickly recognised for his football talent and joined and played for Alex Charlton FC before eventually turning coach for his club. He has been a volunteer member of the technical staff of various clubs in Alex, among them being Gauteng FC and Gunners, both of whom he took to the SAB League.

He leaves behind three of his four children, one of whom, a boy, has since died, leaving three girls and one boy. The last born boy is 17 years old. At the time of going to press, the family was still to decide on the burial arrangements as they were still toying with the idea of either taking him back to the Eastern Cape or burying him here in Johannesburg.

Siyabonga also appealed for any form of assistance they could get to bury their brother. “We’re not financially strong as a family and any form of assistance will go a long way and be much appreciated.”

Gunners’ communication officer Stanley Makhubela described Mpendulo as a ‘larger than life character, whose desire and undying passion for the development of Alex football consumed most of his life’.

“Alex football will never be the same again without him. He was an all-rounder who did everything and anything in the club activities, from coaching to taking care of the kit, balls and players and motivating the players in times of need.

“The knowledge he had in football makes him a big loss, not just for Gunners but the entire Alex football family. He had such an amazing football tempo which I think we will greatly miss. The pulse of football will never be the same without him,” Makhubela concluded.

Details: Siyabonga Mpendulo 079 861 6745.