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Willard Khumalo

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
JUST like he did when he was alive, Highlanders and Warriors legend Willard Mashinkila-Khumalo united the domestic football in death and yesterday brought together different generations of former footballers who converged at Raylton Sports Club in the capital for a memorial service held in his honour.

While others were gathered in Bulawayo were Mashinkila-Khumalo was buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery yesterday, those who could not make it to the City of Kings were hosted at Raylton where they had the opportunity to pay their last respects to the late iconic Zimbabwean footballer. It was a touching event that brought together yesteryear footballers such as the legendary George Shaya, Freddy Mkwesha, Shaun Charters and the younger generation that came after them who included Alois Bunjira.

The service was organised by former Zimbabwe international forward, Charlie Jones. Speaking at the service, Jones made a passionate plea to the nation to recognise football greats like Mashinkila-Khumalo while they are still alive. “I am going to talk about death in general because I feel there is a lot of scars that are always left in what we do . . . we only talk of greats like now. But leading up to his death there were a lot of problems he had, there were a lot of issues and we have a lot of those kind of situations in this country where our ex-footballers are left to die in positions that they should not be in.

“We only want to be proud and to stand up on the podium at the end of the day and say to ourselves the guy was a great hero, he was a good footballer. Why don’t we say this to these guys when they are alive, that’s the most important thing. We only get to be told that we are great people in a white casket being driven to a graveyard.

“We got two legends here that are sitting amongst us and I don’t know when last they were ever told they are loved. Mr George Shaya and Mr Freddy Mukwesha I don’t know when last they were told by the football community that they are loved but the day they die we will all be there in our suits and saying guys these guys were great people. “It’s time we looked after our own guys, it’s time to look after these people and make them special that’s what my dream is.

“These guys sit in their backyards and dwell and hope one day something is going to happen and hope for this ‘great’ day to die to be recognised. I think we should take a different turn to this whole idea of what our heroes are or what our legends are and thank them when they are still alive,” said Jones. Sports and Recreation director-general Charles Nhemachena said the tributes that have been pouring in for Mashinkila-Khumalo are a testimony of the kind of a person he was.

“On behalf of Government, the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture, the Sports and Recreation Commission board, management and staff I would like to extend our most sincere condolences to the Khumalo family and friends, the Highlanders family, the football and the entire sporting fraternity on the passing on of this great footballer who was affectionately referred to as ‘Mawii’ or ‘Nduna’.

“The tributes that have been flowing to and through the media are indeed a testimony of his greatness, which greatness was epitomised by his display of skill, tenacity, commitment and consistence on the football field as well as his contribution to the club and national teams that he served so well as a player and coach,” said Nhemachena.

Legendary footballer Shaya described Mashinkila-Khumalo as a passionate player and an entertainer who would give his best for the game. “When one of us left us we are sad. He was an entertainer, he loved to make the Highlanders supporters happy. He was always in a jovial mood since I was playing for Dynamos and he was playing for Highlanders. He just loved the game, he was passionate.

“As footballers we have lost someone we hoped will continue in the field a little bit longer and would assist the young-and-upcoming youngsters,” said Shaya. Mkwesha, a former CAPS United coach, also paid tribute to Khumalo. “Willard was a good person. I coached him at one point in the national team he was respectful to his supporters, players and all the teams. He had the love for all football teams as he had for Highlanders,” said Mkwesha.

Former CAPS United player Batsirai Jambwa said Mashinkila-Khumalo was a rare talent to have emerged from this country. “Willard was a rare talent, he was one of those players that came from a generation where it was such a pleasure to watch him play.”