The death of Mzwandile Caga, a former teacher, sports administrator and referee, is a huge loss to the sporting fraternity.
These were the words of South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) president Gideon Sam.
“This is a serious loss to sport administrators and we mourn with the family during this difficult time. Caga was a talented person and it will be very difficult to replace a person like him,” said Sam.
Caga died at an East London hospital on December 14 after a long illness.
Sam said he had the opportunity to work with Caga in the 1960s and that was the best time of his life.
“Caga has passed away and it is time to move on.”
Former colleague Tom Nxele said Caga was a disciplinarian.
“His discipline was right throughout and his students at Healdtown High School can attest to that. During this time where there is lack of discipline in our schools, we need teachers like Caga who will never compromise with discipline,” he said.
Nxele said in all the meetings they had with Caga, he would make sure that they do the right thing and follow all the proper procedures.
“He was a man of peace who was not afraid to take up arms if pushed. I worked with him for 10 years, I rarely saw him angry. If you push him, you will see another side of him,” Nxele said.
One of Caga’s friends, Sipo Tanana, said he met Caga in 1967 while Caga was still a student at the University of Fort Hare and he was a teacher.
“He came to East London with a team of rugby players. Back then Fort Hare had the strongest rugby team. Since then we clicked and when he came to work as a teacher, he joined Winter Rose where he was hands-on in the administration of the club,” he said.
Tanana said Caga was a fine fellow who knew rugby to such an extent that he became a referee in different levels of the game.
“He was a sober-minded and fine person. He is one of the few guys who died having accomplished a lot. He was a church steward and played an important role in development of rugby in the area,” he said.
He said when they last spoke with Caga, they were concerned with the deteriorating style of rugby played by Border rugby teams.
“We also played in lobbying the then Ciskei government’s Xhosa Development Corporation in building the Sisa Dukashe stadium,” said Tanana.
Bongani Caga said his father was a disciplinarian and valued educator.
Bongani said his father started having health problems in 2016 and on December 14, he succumbed to his illness. Caga will be laid to rest in Tamarha village on Friday...