Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Athletics was on Sunday robbed of a selfless coach and administrator, Themba Mhlophe, who died at Mpilo Hospital after months of ill-health.
Mhlophe was 55.
His brother, Mlungisi Mhlophe, speaking from the United States yesterday afternoon, confirmed that Themba will be buried at Luveve Cemetery this morning.
“There will be a short funeral service at 7049 Pumula North at 7AM followed by the funeral service at Kingdom Blue at 9AM. We have lost a humble brother who loved the community, athletics and Highlanders. He served the Lord with grace,” said Mlungisi.
Bulawayo-born Mhlophe attended Ihlathi High School up to Form Four, where he first showed interest in athletics. He might not have made a big impact as a schoolboy athlete, but after his secondary school days, he attempted running the 400m and 800m, joining Roy Phiri’s Bulawayo Bottlers Athletics Club, which boasted some brilliant runners.
Phiri, then club manager and chairman of the Matabeleland North Athletics Board, was impressed with Mhlophe’s commitment to athletics and youth development. His resourcefulness and dedication led to the creation of a post for him as organising secretary.
“The Zimbabwe sports fraternity is mourning the loss of an esteemed sports coach, administrator and commentator. Mhlophe’s untimely death has sent shockwaves through the sports community, with many paying tribute to his dedication and passion for athletics.
“Born and raised in Bulawayo, Mhlophe attended Ihlathi Secondary School, where his athletic prowess was first nurtured. He went on to join the Bulawayo Bottlers Athletic Club, where he honed his skills as a runner. After hanging up his running shoes, Mhlophe transitioned into sports administration, joining the Matabeleland Amateur Athletics Board (MAAB) as organising secretary,” said Phiri.
A father of three, Mhlophe later developed a passion for athletics commentary and became a respected voice in the sport. He made a name for himself co-ordinating high-profile events such as the Bulawayo Bottlers-sponsored Bulawayo Half Marathon, Coca-Cola ZITF Four-Minute Mile Challenge, the Bakers Inn Schools Athletics Programme and the annual Tshabalala Sizinda Sports Gala.
Phiri said Mhlophe had left a void in Zimbabwe’s sporting landscape as he was “everything about athletics” — from coaching and commentary to event starting. He was a tireless advocate for the sport’s development across all its facets.
“Mhlophe’s passing has left a void in the Zimbabwean sports landscape, and he will be deeply missed by his colleagues, athletes and friends. He embodied the spirit of voluntarism key to mass sporting events’ success. You could count on him for an errand or event and he would go all out to ensure its success. He is a hero, a true legend of our sport in Bulawayo, region and nationally. His legacy is the many successful athletes he coached, some of whom are abroad,” said an emotional Phiri, who played a key role in Mhlophe’s rise in the sport.
Among notable athletes to pass through his hands is Prodigal Khumalo, who had an illustrious career in South Africa and is now coaching in the United States.
Phiri recalled that when Mhlophe joined Bulawayo Bottlers, he found himself among top athletes such as Grey Mavhera, Steven Mavhera, Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, Patrick Ndou, Victor Ndlovu, Mandla Nkosi, Herman Mnape, Bigboy Moyo, Photo Ndlela, Alphius Ndlovu and Mufandaedza Shumba — competition that shaped his resilience.
At the time of his death, Mhlophe was a coach at City Meats. He was often part of Bulawayo and Matabeleland North teams at national events such as the National Youth Games and Senior Championships.
The late former Sport and Recreation Commission co-ordinator for Bulawayo and Matabeleland North, Sam Ndlovu, once said he was fortunate to work with committed cadres like Dumisani Nkomazana in volleyball, the late Phillip Striker and Shadreck Huni in boxing — and Themba Mhlophe in athletics.
