The football community in the Free State is mourning the loss of one of South Africa’s finest goalkeepers, Themba Biko.
He died at the age of 62 after a short illness.
The news of Biko’s passing was confirmed by his spouse, Mary. The couple’s relationship spans over 28 years.
Condolences have been pouring in from both the football fraternity and community-based organisations Biko served.
He played for now two defunct clubs: Vaal Reefs Stars, which was based in Orkney and the then Transvaal, and Ratang Maholosiane from Qwaqwa.
Both clubs had a sterling stint in South Africa’s top-flight division in the 1990’s, the National Soccer League (NSL).
The acrobatic teams were managed by respected coaches Shakes Mashaba, who led Stars, and Trott Moloto, who guided Maholosiane.
“I will miss Biko for the rest of my life,” says Mary.
“I have fond memories of him. He was a resilient character who ensured we survived despite him becoming wheelchair-bound.”
Biko is well-remembered for surviving a horrific road accident that left him with severe spinal injury.
The accident on 1 October 1992 ended his illustrious football career at the age of just 29 years.
The team of Maholosiane was returning from training on the fateful day. Biko was paralysed, while some of his teammates sustained minor injuries.
While Biko had started his football career at amateur outfit Dangerous Darkies FC in his hometown of Parys, in top-flight South African football Biko stands out as one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation.
He rose to fame while playing for Stars and Maholosiane.
Testimony to the fact that he was one of the finest, is his selection for the NSL All Stars XI team, which culminated in the formation of South Africa’s senior men’s team, Bafana Bafana.
He was chosen along with another stalwart goalie, Steve Crowley, who featured for Bafana and won championships with Wits University FC and Kaizer Chiefs FC.
Other players of note in the NSL All Stars team include Benjamin Reed, former striker of Bloemfontein Celtic FC, Kaizer Chiefs and Manning Rangers FC.
“I remember Themba as someone who had a big heart and positive mentality. This I discovered at the All-Stars team,” says Reed.
“An engaging person and tough on the pitch, and very commanding between the posts.
“He was not easy to beat between the goalposts.”
Biko’s resilience and bravery can also be noted when considering that he established a construction company that received awards for the successful completion of a housing project.
The company was entrusted with building houses on behalf of the Free State government. This was during the tenure of former premier Beatrice Marshoff.
Biko’s funeral is set for Saturday (12/02) at his birthplace of the Tumahole township at Parys.
