A retired member of South Africa’s U23 men’s football squad for the 2000 Olympic Games, Patrick Mbuthu (47), has received a new lease on life in the form of a surgery that can possibly improve his poor eyesight.
Aid towards this surgery came in the form of R20 000 donated on 7 August by the Booth Education and Sports Africa (Booth Africa) organisation.
Even more encouraging, this was presented by Mbuthu’s former teammate Matthew Booth, founder of the organisation. The pair formed part of the country’s finest team who competed at the finals of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games staged in Australia.
Booth said the gesture epitomises the thriving camaraderie and the strong bond forged while playing for the national U23 team. He explained the money was part of proceeds raised through the Clash of Legends, an extended initiative set up to aid retired football legends.
“I heard about Ace’s plight of poor eyesight from Jabu Mahlangu (formerly Pule), who still has contact with him. So, we immediately decided to help Ace as teammates,” said Booth, former defender of Bafana Bafana.
“Hopefully this will help to improve Ace’s eyesight so he can join us on the field and in other initiatives of Legends games.”
The costs surrounding the surgery are yet to be quantified.
Depending on the nature of the surgery, such an operation in the South African private sector is set to range from R15 000 to R25 000, based on the medical insurance provider.
Mbuthu deems the gesture towards improving his impairment as crucial.
“I’m very hopeful my life will change for the better with financial aid to undergo surgery to improve my eyesight. I’m truly encouraged, especially by the fact that my former teammates are supporting me in every aspect,” he said.
Mbuthu said an eye specialist informed him about the origin of his vision defect.
“After the diagnosis by an eye specialist, I was informed my loss of sight started developing at a very young age, which I guess my parents were unaware of.”
Mbuthu revealed he is undergoing treatment in attempts to keep his vision from getting worse.
“I can see partly, but I struggle to really determine the identity of persons from a distance,” said Mbuthu.
According to the super midfield anchor, his poor eyesight is a “hammer blow”, saying it has deprived him of the opportunity to even watch his son, Nkosana Mbuthu Jr, dazzle on the football pitch and evaluate his performance. His son plays for the Kaizer Chiefs.
Mbuthu said his poor vision also affected his ability at work. He works for the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation.
Mbuthu “Ace”, rose to fame by playing for now defunct Free State Stars, owned by the late Mike Mokoena. He then joined Chiefs, where he had a lengthy spell.
Mbuthu went on retirement after a brief stint at the now defunct Manning Rangers.
