Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube
A stalwart of the Highlanders team of the late 1960s and early 1970s, Benjamin “Benjie” Mpofu who died in Bulawayo recently will be buried alongside his former teammates Tymon Mabaleka and Barry Daka at Lady Stanley Cemetery today.
Mpofu died on May 10 after his health deteriorated following a stroke and some other health complications.
He was 76.
According to his niece, Franscina, Mpofu had health complications apart from stroke that eventually claimed his life.
“My uncle will be buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery on Monday. He had many health complications,” said Franscina.
His only sister, Betty Brooker who has been living abroad over the last 60 years, described him as loving brother and a man of a few words.
She said Mpofu had delayed speech in his development and the first words he uttered after some surgical process separating the tongue from the pallet was: “Sis Betty” something he had gone on to do for almost 70 years up to his death.
“Benjie was a loving brother and a man of few words,” said Betty.
The former Bosso winger who played for the club when there was intense competition during the days of Tommy Masuku, Christopher “Bha(wa)” Sibanda, Isaac Mafaro and Cavin Duberley on Bosso’s wings, was born in Bulawayo on October 10, 1948.
Nicknamed Sikhwama, Mpofu could carry the ball on his head up to the 12 yard and score according to a long time Highlanders supporter and mother of Muzondiwa Mugadza, Sibekiwe Khumalo.
Mpofu was also a fine dribbler who created many goals for his teammates.
The highlight of his career was the role he played as a member of the first squad to play under the Rhodesia National Football League structures in 1969, helping Bosso win promotion to the elite division in 1970. It is Mpofu’s group that made Bosso the brand it is today, they were the winners of 1973 Chibuku Trophy and were the regional title winners the same year.
From there on Highlanders became a household football brand.
Some of the players he had at Highlanders include Zenzo Dabengwa, Trust Moyo, Tennyson Mloyi, Josiah Nxumalo, James Nxumalo, Andrew “Srupata” Jele, Nehemiah Dube, John Vela, Boet Van Ays and Peter Bepe.
Mpofu attended Lobengula Primary School in Mzilikazi where he played with the likes of Billy Sibanda, Lawrence Phiri, Bha(wa) and Stanford Mpofu who in an interview on February 21 last year said he was so good but unfortunately never got to play on the bigger stages of the game.
He proceeded to Mahlabezulu School when the school that would later move to Tshabalala suburb was near the Mzilikazi Youth Centre.
He continued playing football at Mzilikazi High School and played school team football with legends Paul “Staff Nurse” Tsumbe, Billy Sibanda, Lawrence Phiri and Kenneth Sparks.
Mpofu started his career around 1964-65 as a junior at club then known as Eastern brothers which had the likes of Barry Daka and later evolved to Eastlands, a team that would play In the elite league and be associated with players like Tymon Mabaleka, Cosmas Zulu, Richard Kasawaya and Lovemore Nyabeze.
Mpofu left Eastern brothers at the end of 1966 to join Highlanders.
An Eastern brothers official, a Mr Mutsago took a number of the players to Highlanders among them Mpofu after losing out in elections for the secretary’s post.
Daniel “Dididi” Ncube who also played for Dynamos was among those who moved to Bosso and helped the team gain promotion to the First Division in 1970.
Mpofu was part of the Highlanders team that finished the season with seven points and was relegated in 1971. He stayed a few months in Hwange where he played with the likes of Amos Rendo, Rodrick Simwanza, Masiiwa Sakala and Isaac Phiri.
Mpofu was part of the history making squad of 1973 that won the Chibuku Trophy and three successive regional league titles.
On his return to Bulawayo he worked at Kango and was later a florist in the city until his retirement.
Billy Sibanda described Mpofu as a talented teammate who he grew up with in Mzilikazi and played both youth boys and school football at Mzilikazi High School.
Mpofu is survived by wife Daisy, two daughters and several grandchildren.
