Tributes pour in for Manyathela
11 August 2003
Leading Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana striker Lesley "Slow Poison" Manyathela died in a car crash on Saturday night on his way home after a Supa Eight match against Jomo Cosmos.
Manyathela had just returned from trials in Europe, and scored the consolation goal for Pirates in the 2-1 defeat by Cosmos at Rand Stadium in Johannesburg. The striker was on his way to his hometown, Musina, to spend time with his mother.
The lanky striker - the leading goalscorer in the domestic league last season - was on the verge of signing a deal with leading Ukrainian club Dynamo Kiev.
Manyathela - who was born on 4 September 1981 - played for the senior national team on five occasions. He made his debut on 20 March 2002 in an international friendly against Saudi Arabia. He then went on to feature against Georgia, Botswana, Swaziland and Senegal.
"Slow Poison", as he was known affectionately by his fans, had a flourishing career with the
national under-23 side, appearing in 13 international under-23 matches and scoring six goals. He also made five appearances in the national under-20 side in the Cosafa Castle Cup, scoring one goal.
Tributes to Manyathela poured in over the weekend.
President Thabo Mbeki, through his spokesman Bheki Khumalo, said: "The government is distraught after hearing of the death of Lesley Manyathela. Our deepest condolences go out to his family. He was on his way to spend Women’s Day with his mother, showing his commitment to his family."
Irvin Khoza, Orlando Pirates chairman, said Manyathela's death was not only a loss to Pirates, but to South Africa as a whole. "He has left an indelible mark on South African soccer."
Kaizer Motaung, Kaizer Chiefs MD, said: "This is a great loss, not only to Orlando Pirates and his family, but the entire soccer fraternity and the country at large."
Ngconde Balfour, minister of sport: "I got the
shock of my life when I heard the news ... I recently had a chat with [Manyathela], and we joked about a few things, especially the future, which I thought was very bright for him."
Shakes Mashaba, Bafana Bafana coach, said Manyathela was a shining example to the youth of South Africa. "He was the pride of his family, especially his mother, who was basking in the glory that her son had brought to her. Lesley will be missed by everybody who knew him."
Kenneth Kubheka, national under-23 coach: "We have lost a great man, a hero ... We know that God gives and God takes, but we never expected to lose him so early. I am really very sad about his death."
Mike Makaab, Manyathela’s manager, said: "Lesley was a superstar as a person, not only as a footballer. He was a gentleman and a very humble young man. In three years of football, he achieved more than many players achieve in their entire careers."
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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