South Africa Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins has described the passing of Border Rugby Union deputy president, Saki Manakaza, as a tragedy to the the sport.
Manakaza passed away last weekend following a long illness and will be laid to rest on Friday in Ndakana village in his hometown of Ngqamakwe near Mthatha.
Manakaza was born 50 years ago and served on the Border Rugby executive as deputy president in 2004.
His first stint was from 2004 until 2006 before he got the nod as acting president of the interim committee that replaced the Monwabisi Yako-led executive.
He returned to the deputy presidency again in 2007 until 2012, when he decided to take time off from the sport to focus on business. But he returned to the union’s second-most powerful job in the incumbent executive headed by Pumlani Mkolo that took office in 2013.
“Saki played a massive role in rugby in Border and his untimely death has robbed the union of a true rugby man,” Hoskins said.
“I was privileged to know Saki well and he was an unselfish servant of rugby in the Eastern Cape, who never did anything for own gain and always looked at what is best for Border, often during trying circumstances.
“I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the Manakaza family for their loss. Border rugby will be poorer because of his sad passing,” Hoskins added.
Hoskins tributes were echoed by Border Rugby administrator Monde Tabata, who described him as a “doer” who was interested in getting the job done on the ground although occupying a political office”.
“He was a strong representative of Transkei Rugby at Border and fought for the development of the sport in that part of the country.”
Transkei’s Rugby secretary-general Asanda Timoyi said Manakaza’s passing was a great loss to sport in general for he “had a special skill in terms of taking sport forward”.
The deceased was not only a rugby man as he also served as chairperson of Darts Eastern Cape.
According to Timoyi, Manakaza was also at the forefront of the development of rugby in rural areas. A memorial service for Manakaza will be held at the Mthatha Town Hall at noon today.
Tributes pour in for rugby legend
Manakaza passed away last weekend following a long illness and will be laid to rest on Friday in Ndakana village in his hometown of Ngqamakwe near Mthatha.
Manakaza was born 50 years ago and served on the Border Rugby executive as deputy president in 2004.
His first stint was from 2004 until 2006 before he got the nod as acting president of the interim committee that replaced the Monwabisi Yako-led executive.
He returned to the deputy presidency again in 2007 until 2012, when he decided to take time off from the sport to focus on business. But he returned to the union’s second-most powerful job in the incumbent executive headed by Pumlani Mkolo that took office in 2013.
“Saki played a massive role in rugby in Border and his untimely death has robbed the union of a true rugby man,” Hoskins said.
“I was privileged to know Saki well and he was an unselfish servant of rugby in the Eastern Cape, who never did anything for own gain and always looked at what is best for Border, often during trying circumstances.
“I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the Manakaza family for their loss. Border rugby will be poorer because of his sad passing,” Hoskins added.
Hoskins tributes were echoed by Border Rugby administrator Monde Tabata, who described him as a “doer” who was interested in getting the job done on the ground although occupying a political office”.
“He was a strong representative of Transkei Rugby at Border and fought for the development of the sport in that part of the country.”
Transkei’s Rugby secretary-general Asanda Timoyi said Manakaza’s passing was a great loss to sport in general for he “had a special skill in terms of taking sport forward”.
The deceased was not only a rugby man as he also served as chairperson of Darts Eastern Cape.
According to Timoyi, Manakaza was also at the forefront of the development of rugby in rural areas. A memorial service for Manakaza will be held at the Mthatha Town Hall at noon today.
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