“Pelé’s journey has come to an end, but his life and his legacy still continue.” These words were spoken by Kaizer Chiefs Chairman Kaizer Motaung at the funeral service of Herman ‘Pelé’ Blaschke, one of Amakhosi’s greatest players. The Namibian-born Blaschke passed away on Thursday, 11 February. He was 67-years old.

Blaschke joined Kaizer’s XI in 1969 after he made a huge impression as part of a South-West Africa XI, which beat Kaizer’s XI 5-4. Accordingly, he played for Kaizer Chiefs from its foundation on 7 January 1970 until 1978.

On Saturday, at his funeral service, hundreds of people from different backgrounds came to say farewell to this Amakhosi legend. The service was held at the NG Klipkerk in Boksburg, after which there was a short service at the graveyard.

Various Chiefs supporters branches were present, including Reiger Park, where Blaschke lived, as well as Brakpan, Vosloorus, Katlehong and Langaville. Their singing during the service created a lively and warm atmosphere at both services. The Kaizer Chiefs choir also participated in the proceedings.

Blaschke’s family from Namibia travelled by bus and in several cars. His widow, Jane, his son Sidney, two daughters, Joline and Justine, and several grand and great grandchildren were present too.

Former teammates of Blaschke were also present, including Joseph ‘Banks’ Sethlodi, Johannes ‘Ryder’ Mofokeng, Jackie Masike, JC Xaba, Johannes ‘Big Boy’ Kholoane and Vusi ‘Computer’ Lamola.

Two days earlier, at the memorial service at Reiger Park’s civic centre, Nelson ‘Teenage’ Dladla, Lucky Stylianou and Simon ‘Bull’ Lehoko were in attendance too.

Bernard Parker, who was born in Reiger Park, attended the memorial service to represent the present squad and delivered a speech that was both emotional and humorous. Football Manager Bobby Motaung was present as well.

Chairman Motaung stressed that it was important “to celebrate Pelé’s life, as there are beautiful stories to tell.” The Chiefs Chairman admitted that Blaschke’s passing had “a heavy impact on me.”

When the Namibian attacker, who preferred to play on the right wing, came to South African in 1969, he stayed with the Motaung family in Phefeni.

“Getting Pelé to join us in South Africa was a giant step for the club, but also for him, as he was only 21 at the time,” Motaung said. “When he arrived in South Africa he only spoke Afrikaans. However, Pelé found a new family, he found my parents and he found new friends. He was like a family to me.”

Motaung also mentioned that “Pelé and the others of the first generation of Kaizer Chiefs players helped create the foundation of the club. The success and the trophies won during that period laid that foundation. No club can be successful long-term without a proper foundation. Without that foundation laid in the early seventies, this icon would not be where it is today.”

The Amakhosi Chairman added that after his Chiefs career was finished, “Pelé stayed in contact with the club, always informing us about talent he had seen. I remember his call when we signed Bernard Parker, who comes from the same area where Pelé lived. He was so excited that Bernard joined Kaizer Chiefs.”

“I have always been proud of Pelé,” added Motaung. “Not only because of his greatness as a player, but even more because he was never in the papers for the wrong reasons, even after finishing his playing career. Pelé was a true professional.”

Parker in his speech at the memorial service, stressed that Blaschke was always very straight in his comments and advice. “Bernard,” Blaschke told Parker recently. “When the team was not doing well in our days, the players would sit together and try to sort out the problem. However, these days, you guys have Twitter, Facebook, iPhones and all those things, so you don’t do that anymore.”

Parker confessed that this message left an impact on him and that he had already spoken with a few senior players to revive this tradition, as Blaschke advised.

Others who spoke at the memorial service were Chiefs’ Ekurhuleni regional chairperson, Jeannette Mahlangu, and Gauteng provincial chairperson, Sello Moropodi. Makie Shale and Melvin Fish spoke for Chiefs’ supporters branch in Reiger Park.

Another who spoke was Chiefs’ former PRO, Louis Tshakoane: “Pelé is gone. However, his spirit needs to be infused in our children, so that he will never be forgotten. I also ask the Kaizer Chiefs legends to write their own history, because they must leave a name among the community. It’s important that our young supporters learn about their legends. We need to protect that history, especially at Kaizer Chiefs.”

Tshakoane added that “Pelé believed in uniting people. That’s what we, as the Kaizer Chiefs Family, believe in – we believe in a united people. We are an institution and not just a soccer club. We are here to unite the country of South Africa and our supporters play a big role in achieving this.”

In the Vote of Thanks, Blaschke’s daughter Joline thanked Kaizer Chiefs for “us being part of such a big Family. To my father I want to say – I will always remember you!”