A SPORTS centre will be built in Louis Trichardt in honour of 800m world champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi who died in a car accident in Mpumalanga last Friday.
Sports minister Fikile Mbalula made this commitment during a memorial service for Mulaudzi that was held in Midoroni village near Louis Trichardt on Friday.
Mbalula further said he regretted that he had not honoured Mulaudzi during his lifetime and his department would honour the athlete with the Steve Tshwete Lifetime Award.
“Limpopo is known for producing strong sportsmen and women. Ludwick Mamabolo and Caster Semenya both come from this province. Upcoming stars should emulate Mulaudzi,” he said.
Middle distance world champion Semenya also spoke at the memorial service and said she owed her success to Mulaudzi. She said he encouraged her a lot while they competed together in other countries.
“He was my inspiration. He told me to believe in myself and to train hard. He told me that we were not doing this for ourselves, but for South Africa. He was a very simple, down to earth man who never let his success and fame go to his head. He always had time for the younger athletes,” Semenya said.
National Lottery Board chairperson, Ntshengedzeni Nevhutanda echoed Mbalula’s words regarding the planned sports centre.
Athletics South Africa (ASA) president, Aleck Skhosana, thanked president Jacob Zuma for declaring the funeral an official provincial funeral.
He said Mulaudzi received the send-off he deserved.
Skhosana said the country had lost a hero who could not be replaced.
Public service and administration minister, Collins Chabane, delivered the eulogy and urged young South Africans to emulate Mulaudzi’s spirit of patriotism.
He said Mulaudzi was among the few citizens who had raised his country’s flag before the rest of the world.
Chabane handed the South African flag to Mulaudzi’s parents at the end of the memorial service.
Mineral resources minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi, Gauteng premier David Makhura, chief of the Kutama area Progress Kutama, EFF leader, Julius Malema, South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee president Gideon Sam, and various mayors from the Vhembe district attended the memorial service.
Mulaudzi was the third child and only son of Daniel and Luvhengo.
He is survived by his mother, father, sisters Khakhu, Shonisani and Tshifularo, a son, Mulisa and nieces, Lesego, Mpho and Zwivhuya.
He was buried in Muduluni village on Saturday.
