“We support each other,” says Philemon Maombe, the Chairperson of Kaizer Chiefs’ Thohoyandou Supporters Branch.

Expressing these words, Maombe is flanked by his fellow branch members at Saturday’s funeral service of Jeremiah Thidiela in Thohoyandou, Venda.

“Kaizer Chiefs is our Family,” adds Maombe. The late Thidiela was a member of the Lanseria Supporters Branch in Johannesburg. “We collaborate nationally as supporters branches. Jeremiah was an active member in Johannesburg, but his family is here (Thohoyandou).”

The late Jeremiah is the elder brother of the David Thidiela, the owner of First Division side Black Leopards.

“We also have relations with supporters from other Clubs,” refers Maombe to Black Leopards and their contact with Jeremiah.

“We have about 235 members in the Thohoyandou Supporters Branch," confirms Maombe, before he concludes by wishing the Thidiela family and their friends well during these difficult times.

Kaizer Chiefs, through Chairman Kaizer Motaung, sent a letter, expressing his deepest heartfelt condolences to David Thidiela and his family.