Well-known Wattville, Benoni, community leader and soccer stalwart Henry Podile Phoky Mokoka has died following a long illness.
Mokoka (75) died on December 24. He was a director of the Sundowns Football Club.
Club spokesperson Kgati Sathekge said: ”Mr Mokoka was a key father figure and mentor to many aspiring youngsters at the Sundowns Football Club.”
Mokoka travelled the length and breadth of South Africa, Africa and also internationally in the service of the club.
He was born on August 23 1928 at Dukathole in the old Germiston location, Sathekge said.
After completing high school he trained as a teacher at the Kilnerton Training Institution, obtaining a teacher’s certificate.
He started a teaching career at Lady Selborne near Pretoria, then relocated to Benoni, where he served as a librarian and also as a director of community services in Daveyton for many years.
Mokoka was then invited by the Krok brothers to work as the director of Sundowns, Sathekge said.
”He served here with distinction and commitment for many years, grooming youngsters, travelling with the team, and looking after the welfare of the players.”
Mokoka is survived by his wife, Nozipho Elena; his sister Judith; his son Maleka; and four grandchildren.
Sathekge said the funeral service is expected to be held at the Methodist Church in Wattville, Benoni, although the arrangements were still being finalised. — Sapa