Posted in Features, News on Jul 09, 2017.
“We must carry on the legacy of Bizzah,” Cecil Motaung pointed out at the funeral service of Kaizer Chiefs legend Michael Bhabha ‘Bizzah’ Dlamini on Saturday. The service was attended by numerous dignitaries, including South Africa’s Minister of Sport and Recreation, Thembelani Nxesi.
The Chiefs delegation to the funeral was led by Supporters Relations Manager, Cecil Motaung and included several legends; Vusi ‘Computer’ Lamola, Johannes ‘Big Boy’ Kholoane, Joseph ‘Banks’ Sethlodi, John ‘Buick’ Makwati, JC Xaba, Ryder Mofokeng and Jackie Masike.
All of them were former teammates of ‘Bizzah’, who played for Amakhosi from 1970 until 1976. Dlamini was an excellent striker, scoring numerous, often crucial, goals for the Glamour Boys.
The funeral service was held at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban and was attended by more than hundred Chiefs supporters, who also wanted to show their last respect to the legendary Chiefs forward.
Speaker after speaker spoke about how modest Dlamini was despite his star status as a prolific goalscoring striker and, later on, as a coach. He always treated everyone with respect and, usually, with a smile on his face.
Son, Paris Dlamini, reiterated the fact that Bizzah always strived to be the best in everything he did, working hard, always determined to succeed. The former striker advised his son when he was still young: “When you don’t understand something, just read. You learn a lot from reading.”
It meant that Bizzah was not just a soccer player, he was so much more and that’s also why the Chiefs legend later on became a successful businessman with his company, Bhabha Contractors.
Dlamini was a man who never forgot his local community and always assisted those in need. One of the speakers mentioned: “Bizzah was indeed a real man - one who aspires to inspire.”
Minister of Sport and Recreation Nxesi described Dlamini as a “Lion amongst Lion. He was one of those great players in the sixties and seventies who gave their all whilst getting relatively little in return.
“Bizzah was a man dedicated to excellence. He was a humble person. I wish that young people could learn from our elders the value of honesty and commitment, as that will drive us forward as a nation.”
The Minister furthermore said that he plans “to pull all legends together in all provinces” adding that he wants to establish a trust and get sponsors involved to help the former stalwarts of South African soccer.
Cecil Motaung added in his speech that “Bizzah ran his race”, before adding that “a man’s greatness is measured in what he leaves behind”.
Michael Bhabha ‘Bizzah’ Dlamini leaves behind a lot to be treasured. Kaizer Chiefs Chairman Kaizer Motaung always stresses the point that “Kaizer Chiefs stands on the shoulders of that first generation of players that achieved so much success. They created the foundation.”
Or, as Bizzah often used to say: “We left a legacy for others to strive for. We set the standard.”
The former Chiefs striker passed away on 30 June 2017. He was 74-year-old. He leaves behind his wife Virginia (‘Vee’), five children and seven grandchildren.
After the funeral service Dlamini was buried at the Heroes Acre Cemetery in Durban.
The Chiefs delegation to the funeral was led by Supporters Relations Manager, Cecil Motaung and included several legends; Vusi ‘Computer’ Lamola, Johannes ‘Big Boy’ Kholoane, Joseph ‘Banks’ Sethlodi, John ‘Buick’ Makwati, JC Xaba, Ryder Mofokeng and Jackie Masike.
All of them were former teammates of ‘Bizzah’, who played for Amakhosi from 1970 until 1976. Dlamini was an excellent striker, scoring numerous, often crucial, goals for the Glamour Boys.
The funeral service was held at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban and was attended by more than hundred Chiefs supporters, who also wanted to show their last respect to the legendary Chiefs forward.
Speaker after speaker spoke about how modest Dlamini was despite his star status as a prolific goalscoring striker and, later on, as a coach. He always treated everyone with respect and, usually, with a smile on his face.
Son, Paris Dlamini, reiterated the fact that Bizzah always strived to be the best in everything he did, working hard, always determined to succeed. The former striker advised his son when he was still young: “When you don’t understand something, just read. You learn a lot from reading.”
It meant that Bizzah was not just a soccer player, he was so much more and that’s also why the Chiefs legend later on became a successful businessman with his company, Bhabha Contractors.
Dlamini was a man who never forgot his local community and always assisted those in need. One of the speakers mentioned: “Bizzah was indeed a real man - one who aspires to inspire.”
Minister of Sport and Recreation Nxesi described Dlamini as a “Lion amongst Lion. He was one of those great players in the sixties and seventies who gave their all whilst getting relatively little in return.
“Bizzah was a man dedicated to excellence. He was a humble person. I wish that young people could learn from our elders the value of honesty and commitment, as that will drive us forward as a nation.”
The Minister furthermore said that he plans “to pull all legends together in all provinces” adding that he wants to establish a trust and get sponsors involved to help the former stalwarts of South African soccer.
Cecil Motaung added in his speech that “Bizzah ran his race”, before adding that “a man’s greatness is measured in what he leaves behind”.
Michael Bhabha ‘Bizzah’ Dlamini leaves behind a lot to be treasured. Kaizer Chiefs Chairman Kaizer Motaung always stresses the point that “Kaizer Chiefs stands on the shoulders of that first generation of players that achieved so much success. They created the foundation.”
Or, as Bizzah often used to say: “We left a legacy for others to strive for. We set the standard.”
The former Chiefs striker passed away on 30 June 2017. He was 74-year-old. He leaves behind his wife Virginia (‘Vee’), five children and seven grandchildren.
After the funeral service Dlamini was buried at the Heroes Acre Cemetery in Durban.
