“No one word can describe the late Ewert Nene,” said the Club’s Executive Chairman, Kaizer Motaung paying a tribute to his friend and his former colleague who was stabbed to death on a mission to sign one of Kaizer Chiefs’ best player ever, Nelson Teenage Dladla in Springs.

The late Ewert Nene had gone to Springs back on the 10th August 1976 to recruit the young Teenage Dladla who was described as an ‘exceptional’ youngster at the time.

Even though Teenage joined the Club in the same year, Ewert never got to see him dazzling the fans with his trickery.

Ewert Nene, one of the co-founders of Kaizer Chiefs in 1970 was not only flamboyant but was an astute business man who will be remembered for the contribution he has made in the development of what is currently the biggest sporting brand in the continent.

In one afternoon with Orlando Pirates hot on the heels of one youngster by the name of Patrick Ntsoelengoe, Ewert was always a step ahead by driving to Randfontein and convinced the youngster to join Chiefs.

He had him wrapped in a blanket in the back seat of a car (a white Impala – a big American left handed car) so no one could identify the youngster.

It is now history that Ace Ntsoelengoe went on to become one of the best players to have graced South Africa.

“This day brings bad memories for all of us at Kaizer Chiefs. We lost one of us,” said Kaizer the man known affectionately as Chincha Guluva during his playing days.

“Ewert was in duty for the Club when he died tragically. We will always remember him and love him. He was an exceptional man and a leader who made tremendous contribution in the development of Kaizer Chiefs,” added Motaung.

Back in 2009 FIFA Secretary General, Jerome Valcke expressed his concern about the way ticket sales for the Confederations Cup were going.

Kick off magazine veteran writer Cyril Mcaravey wrote, “This member of Kaizer Chiefs back in the early 70s, a spin doctor second to none and if Nene was still around today and handling the promotion of the FIFA showpiece, there would be no standing room at any of the games.”

“A motor mouth Nene would not have been fazed by the fact that the local tickets were selling slowly; he knew that money for tomorrow’s groceries, taxi fare, kids school fees were priority and that come a week before kickoff fans would find the moola (even if they got an advance salaries) to be there.”

Today marks 35 years since Ewert “The Lip” Nene was laid to rest but for us at Kaizer Chiefs we will remember him not only for his dark sunglasses, stylish attire but for his devotion in making Kaizer Chiefs what it is today.