A comrade, a community activist, a medico par excellence, a handsome, and elegant father to mention but a few, were the words which unanimously centred how the Maepa and Fokwana families, friends, colleagues, Kaizer Chiefs management, Amakhosi faithful (from Tembisa, Pretoria Central and Alexander branches) and representatives from the Football fraternity, will remember Dr. Philemon Masubathele Maepa, a long serving team and family doctor of Kaizer Chiefs who was laid to rest last weekend.

What was said to be a funeral turned into a celebration of great life lived. Dr. Nhlanjwa Modipadi Maepa,his daughter who also qualified as Medical Practitioner, told over 2000 people who came to pay their last respect and tribute to a “Doctor, eternal” that “He loved and cherished us all equally. He was an achiever and role model to all of us”.

The legendary Doctor Khumalo, also shared his unforgettable experience about how he has always been targeted by some teams, simple to take him out of his game, but at his rescue was “Bra Phil, he had been a pillar of strength to our football career, and our game” he said. During his tenure at Chiefs, Dr. Maepa devoted his renowned medical experience to ensure that Kaizer Chiefs has no record of a player who dies on field and/or after the match, as a result of a lack of adequate medical attention.

“Passion, loyalty, commitment, and his ancestral love for the brand, is what defined the profundity in the stay of Dr. Maepa at Kaizer Chiefs” so said Siyabulela Makunga, Public Relations Manager of Kaizer Chiefs, who also shared in directing proceedings with Mr. Malaza of Burgersfort.

The Chairman and Managing Director of Kaizer Chiefs, Mr. Kaizer Motaung thanked all those who paid tribute to the late Maepa, by among other things sending messages of condolences to Kaizer Chiefs and the family, that “we are indeed mourning his passing and hope to join many who came to pay their last respects to Phil.

We were blessed to work with such a talented and dedicated Medical Doctor that sacrificed both his private practice to serve his passion of football and Kaizer Chiefs in particular. His passing is indeed a great loss to the entire soccer fraternity including the National Squads and he would be best remembered for his unselfish and patriotic spirit of winning and progress”.

Dr. Maepa is survived by his Wife Mrs Zoleka Carol Mickey Maepa and 4 children from his previous marriage. In his obituary Dr. Maepa described his wife as “a person who loved me for what I am-a human being who shared with me my problems and difficulties”.

Robala ka kgotso Masubathele! Phumla ngoxolo Bra Phil! U Bhambalale Ngokuthula Dr. Maepa!

May your departed soul Rest in Peace!

Khosi 4 Life!

Issued by Media and Communications Department