Posted in News on May 18, 2010.
Scara who started his primary school education at Ntuthuko Lower Primary School back in 1987 was laid to rest at Southpark Cemetery on Tuesday, 18 May having passed away on 11th May 2010.
Football Manager, Bobby Motaung together with the entire team graced the funeral. The Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni, Councilor Ntombi Makgwe, former Bafana Bafana coach, Shakes Mashaba, Kaizer Chiefs legends Shoes Mosheou, Shakes Kungwane, Pollen Ndlanya, Thabang Lebese, Tsepo Molatedi including current players, football fraternity and the music group Malaika were among the mourners who came to pay their last respects to a player who was known in his township as ‘Black Jesus’.
Bafana Bafana players Itumeleng Khune, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Teko Modise took time off from their busy schedule to say ‘goodbye’ to a player who will be remembered for inspiring the Glamour Boys to league title during 2004/2005 season.
“Those who go to school they acquire degrees, doctorates but when you play football you must win trophies and championships. Scara has achieved this…as the family you should take pride that you have so many people attending the funeral,” said Football Manager, Bobby Motaung.
Captain Jimmy Tau who also revealed a funny side of Scara, “I remember this game when we went to the halftime trailing 1-0. Scara who was on the bench on the day was walking just behind me and he came on second half and we won the game. He came to me to say, ‘you see, when you guys were playing without me it was ‘Kaizer’, now that I came in it was ‘Kaizer Chiefs’,” said Tau.
Thabo Mooki who was very close to the player got a big applause from the fans when he took the stage to talk about his former teammate, “Scara looked up to me…I called him ‘Kamntana’. I remember he was my roommate in PE just before we played Bush Bucks in a very crucial game back in 2005. He woke me up early in the morning. ‘I had a dream last night,’ he said. I dismissed him several times.
‘In my dream I was tearing these guys apart and I think God has given me this game,’ he said. On that night, Scara was amazing as we won the game (4-3) and we went on to win the league,” recalled the veteran midfielder who donned the Gold and Black jersey for 15 years.
“Scara had a lot to offer. I do not think at times he realized how special he was. I am standing here today and I still cannot believe that he is no more with us. Scara…my hero!” added a tearful Tsiki-Tsiki.
Nick Nkosi (Ekurhuleni SAFA), Mama Sara Mokgatle (Kaizer Chiefs), former teachers all agreed that Scara was a ‘special player’. A DVD that showcased some of the finest moments of Scara Ngobese during his time at Chiefs was played at the service. The fans could not stop blowing the ‘vuvuzela’ when the goal described by Jabu Mahlangu (Pule) as the ‘Champions League final goal’ against Pirates in a 1 all draw at Soccer City was shown.
Lala ngoxolo Ngobese. Mqungebe Delwa kubuswa, sizohlala sikukhumbula njalo (Rest in peace Ngobese you will forever be remembered by friends, family and friends)
Psalm 121.