Posted in Club News, News on Apr 04, 2017.
The funeral service for Bloemfontein Celtic’s lifetime president, Dr Petrus Rantlai Molemela, will take place at the Dr Molemela Stadium today, Tuesday, 4 April. ‘Whitehead,’ as Molemela was nicknamed, will be laid to rest at the Phahameng cemetery (Mangengenene).
Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siyabonga Nkosi made his professional debut for Siwelele, playing for the club between 2003 and 2006.
He fondly remembers Ntate Molemela, even though, at the time, he was no longer the owner of Celtic.
“We regularly saw him,” Nkosi reflects, “especially when we won a cup.” During the midfielder’s time at Siwelele, the First Division Inland Stream was won, gaining promotion to the premiership, and the 2005 SAA Supa 8.
“Molemela had that aura,” the former midfielder continues, “somebody who brings that positive energy. He liked to make jokes, laughing a lot as well. He was a real people’s person, so humble. It’s amazing what he did for Celtic, he really energized the supporters.
“I also heard a lot of stories from players who played for the club, including Siphiwe Mkhonza, Fabian McCarthy, David Modise and Willem Vries. They would tell how he looked after them. They all loved him, which is something rare to hear in the world of football. However, it showed what kind of person Ntate Molemela was.”
“When he came to you, he always showed respect. He would tell me how he liked the way I played and he would say that I would go far. But Ntate Molemela also warned me to stay level-headed and stay away from people who frequent the nightlife too often. He always stressed that I should remain disciplined and focussed on my soccer.”
Ntate Molemela was also known to have a good eye for talent, spotting several players for Bloemfontein Celtic during his tenure in charge.
“I would like to offer my condolences to his family and the entire Celtic family,” Nkosi says. “Ntate Molemela played a key role in South African football. He lived his life fully and he left behind a solid brand, which is Bloemfontein Celtic FC. May your soul rest in peace ‘Whitehead’, we will miss you.”
Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siyabonga Nkosi made his professional debut for Siwelele, playing for the club between 2003 and 2006.
He fondly remembers Ntate Molemela, even though, at the time, he was no longer the owner of Celtic.
“We regularly saw him,” Nkosi reflects, “especially when we won a cup.” During the midfielder’s time at Siwelele, the First Division Inland Stream was won, gaining promotion to the premiership, and the 2005 SAA Supa 8.
“Molemela had that aura,” the former midfielder continues, “somebody who brings that positive energy. He liked to make jokes, laughing a lot as well. He was a real people’s person, so humble. It’s amazing what he did for Celtic, he really energized the supporters.
“I also heard a lot of stories from players who played for the club, including Siphiwe Mkhonza, Fabian McCarthy, David Modise and Willem Vries. They would tell how he looked after them. They all loved him, which is something rare to hear in the world of football. However, it showed what kind of person Ntate Molemela was.”
“When he came to you, he always showed respect. He would tell me how he liked the way I played and he would say that I would go far. But Ntate Molemela also warned me to stay level-headed and stay away from people who frequent the nightlife too often. He always stressed that I should remain disciplined and focussed on my soccer.”
Ntate Molemela was also known to have a good eye for talent, spotting several players for Bloemfontein Celtic during his tenure in charge.
“I would like to offer my condolences to his family and the entire Celtic family,” Nkosi says. “Ntate Molemela played a key role in South African football. He lived his life fully and he left behind a solid brand, which is Bloemfontein Celtic FC. May your soul rest in peace ‘Whitehead’, we will miss you.”
