Veteran soccer player and coach Vlaldez Banda will be sorely missed
Valdez Banda took after the likes of Patson Sparks Banda, family says
The legendary Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Patson Sparks Banda may have retired more than two decades ago but he was given a special mention in Giyani, Limpopo Province on Thursday, during the memorial service of the late veteran soccer player and development coach Bale Bernard Banda who has passed on aged 66.
Also known as Valdez or Star B, the late Bale Banda was himself a household name during his playing days and featured for teams such as Mesina Pulltogether, Healthcare in Mpumalanga, Giyani United and Giyani Progress, to mention some.
During his school days at Shingwedzi High School in the Collins Chabane Local Municipality he played alongside well-known names such as Ishmael Maluleke and the Sono brothers such as Gladstone Sono, Desmond Sono, Keystone Sono and Julius KK Sono, who is the father of Coach Rhulani Mokwena.
The memorial service was held at his home in Giyani Section E and was organised by his family in conjunction with his church, the Enlightened Christian gathering and he was said to have served the church since the inception of its branch in Giyani.
At the event, the programme director, Annette Tebogo Banda, who is a member of the family said soccer is running through the veins in the Bada family.
She said the late icon was not the only one who played soccer and he is following in the footsteps of others in the family.
She then mentioned the legendary Sparks Kamuzu Banda.
“He is part of our family and he put the family on the football map. His two brothers George “Chiva” and Fred “Chiza” Banda also did the family proud on the soccer field although they did not match his achievement,” she said.
He started the Giyani Development and roped in other people to work with him including Coach Gezani Mashaba, with whom they have won many awards.
Coach Mashaba said they met at Hoxani College of education while doing a teacher’s diploma. They went on to assist many youngsters to reach professional stage such as Gladstone Shitolo who plays for Golden Arrows.
“We went on to work closely with top administrators such as Dr Irvin Khosa and Jomo Sono and our youngsters were invited to may tournaments because of Valdez,” said Mashaba.
His son Akani said his father was a practical man who talked less.
Another friend Stanley “Stargo” Mathebula also put a good word for the late Banda.
“There was a man named Job who was living in the land of Uz, who worshipped God and was faithful to him. He was a good man, careful not to do evil. (Job 1:1). Source: Bible Society of South Africa.
Valdez was like Job. He was a good man, “said Mathebula.
Banda’s former colleague at Hlayisanani Primary School Paul Chauke and principal Maboko also paid a glowing tribute to the fallen hero.
Banda will be laid to rest in Giyani tomorrow.
The service will be held at the Enlightened Gathering Church next to Siyandhani juncture on the road to Malamulele.
The cortege will later leave for the Giyani cemetery to send him to his final resting place.
