SEDIBENG.- Just a tribute to the Late Stanley Screamer Tshabalala and my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, loved ones, and the entire African continent.
A mere goodbye to the eternal kind soul of our Tshabalala clan, “Bra Screamer,” as affectionately known will never be enough to express the pain that the entire world football world is currently embracing. He was one of the ultimate inspirations of all of time to so many millions within the African continent and abroad and, most certainly, the reference yesterday, today and forever!
In 2014, during my tenure as the Chairman of the Executive Board of Mshengu-Tshabalala Clan Consortium For Southern Africa, myself and the dedicated leadership were honoured to bestow him with the honorary award for his sheer brilliance and hard-fought endurance, which was beyond perfection in his distinction of the soccer profession, skills, creativity, leadership and self-mandate in re-branding our Tshabalala clan as the household clan of all times.
Indeed, Tshabalala people all over are the forerunners in many respect by making notable history marks. Undoubtedly, the likes of many well-known Tshabalala individuals, including the late Mr Tshabalala, were the first ones to make strong footprints of their sheer brilliance!
He was the first African coach of Bafana Bafana National Couch! Moreover, without polarizing my statement, Tshabalala people take a lead in every aspect of their lives and not behind and the likes of the individuals including the following were the trend setters of our heritage today:
1. The Late Tycoon Tshabalala for being the first African Executive Mayor of Soweto and the first African Millionaire;
2. Ladysmith Black Mambazo Music Group led by the late Dr Joseph Shabalala for being the first African Music Group in Africa to win multiple Grammy Awards;
3. The late Sam Tshabalala for being the first African to win the Comrades Marathon;
4. The late Mr Vincent Vesele Tshabalala for being first African to win the French Open Tennis Tournament; etc
The list is far too long and on a lighter note, today, when we hear more about Mamelodi Sundowns FC making positive strides, we should acknowledge the fact that the individual who had started that foundation was none other than the late Mr Stanley Screamer Tshabalala through his “Piano & Shoe Shine” program, creating a style with Sundowns where the team could defend and attack in a rhythm as a unit.
For a sport that brings the world together like no other, Bra Screamer’s rise from humble beginnings to soccer legend is a story of what is possible to inspire the young and aspirant soccer players. The acceptance speech that he delivered on 16 December 2014 when I conferred him with the honorary award becomes a legacy for future generations especially to the young men and women of our Tshabalala all over the world. His passionate words to embrace love, peace and respect shall continue to be the cornerstone of our values for success.
The love and jokes you always showed us was reciprocated in every moment we share even from distance. He will never be forgotten and his memory will live forever in each and every one of us from our Tshabalala clan at large.
I dedicate to him, a song by Frank Sinatra which was recorded in 1974 to honour his selfless effort to make strong footprints of his masterpiece work and creativity for us as the Tshabalala Clan.
Ngiyetsemba kutsi wonkhe utovumelana name kutsi lokulapha ngetulu kuyatsatselwana kusukela etitukulwaneni ngetitukulwane! Ngako ke natsi Bo-Mshengu labahle sifanele kutsi sikugcine loku kuze kutsi sikwendlulisele kulesinye situkulwane lesktako.
Bo-Mshengu labahle! Atichubekeni sibambane kuze kutsi kube nekuvana kulemideni yemaTshabalala, kubeketelelwane, sihloniphane futsi kube nekuthula!
Angigcine nekutsi ke, asisebenteni ngekjtimisela kufeza emaphupho etfu, sibuke yena Nkulunkulu kutsi asihole kute kutsi siphumelele futsi sichubeke phambili! MaSwati labahle yindlela lekufuna sihambe ngayo le kuze sikhone likusasa lelihle lentfu kanye nebatfwa betfu!
Kumnandzi kuba nguMshengu!
Rest in peace Mshengu🙏🏿♥
- This tribute to former Orlando Pirates Administrator, and Bafana Bafana Coach, Stanley ‘Screamer’ Tshabalala who passed away in hospital on July 11 was submitted by Nelson Makhubane Tshabalala who is an author and historian. The writer is also the former Chairman of : Executive Board – Mshengu-Tshabalala Clan Consortium For Southern Africa.
