Thohoyandou bids farewell to community champion
Samuel Tshitahe, founder of the Dam Site Social Club, leaves a lasting legacy in Thohoyandou's soccer community and beyond.
LIMPOPO – The soccer fraternity and socialising club in Thohoyandou Block G, along with the broader community, suffered a huge blow with the passing of Samuel Tshitahe, the founder and first chairperson of the Dam Site Social Club (Livhandla) and the elected chairperson of the Thavha Thavha Soccer Club.
Hundreds of mourners from across the Vhembe district and as far as Gauteng paid their last respects at Tshitahe’s funeral service on Saturday.
The service began at the CWC Church in Maniini village and concluded at the Mbaleni village graveyard.
Samuel Tshitahe (62) was born and raised in Mbaleni village near Thohoyandou. He joined the Venda Defence Force in 1985, completed his training, and was stationed at the former Manenu Battalion near Tshilamba in the Mutale area.
In 1986, he served in South West Africa, now known as Namibia. Upon returning to South Africa, Tshitahe was stationed at the 15 SI Battalion in Vuwani and retired from the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 2022.
Post-retirement, he dedicated much of his time to nurturing young soccer players.
Prince Nemalamagwa, the current chairperson of the Dam Site Social Club, recounted how the club was formed in 2010.
“Old men from Thohoyandou Block G, F, and Hamagidi decided to meet and form a social club for men only, which we named the Dam Site Social Club. We usually met on Sundays under a tree near Dididi village, cooking meat and food,” Nemalamagwa explained.
“It started with a few men who decided to come together every Sunday to cook and eat before drinking. Tshitahe’s cleanliness and discipline, learned from his military service, influenced us all. He taught us that chicken feathers should not be scattered everywhere but placed in a bin and later destroyed.”
Under Tshitahe’s leadership, the Dam Site Social Club grew significantly and gained recognition in various media outlets, including Capricorn Voice, local and national newspapers, and PhalaPhala FM.
The club became renowned for its culinary skills, especially for cooking Mukokoroshi (chicken meat), often winning competitions organised by PhalaPhala FM.
Nemalamagwa also mentioned that the club decided to open a savings account to ensure a joyous Christmas celebration for all.
“Tshitahe supported the idea, and with the help of Prince Nemalamagwa, who works at a bank, we successfully opened the account. We salute you, Nemalamagwa,” he said.
Tshitahe’s legacy of community service, leadership, and dedication to youth development in Thohoyandou will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him.
