A Tribute to South African Rugby Legends

Claremont Main Road Masjid Pays Tribute to Rugby Legends

Introduction During the months of June and July 2017, some of the greatest players to ever grace South Africa’s rugby pitches, passed away; Yusuf Allie – 13 June, Salie Dollie – 24 June, Achmat Isaacs – 25 June, Salie Fredericks – 6 July, and Welile James “Bomza” Nkohla former captain of the Kwazakhele Rugby Union (KWARU) – 23 July.

There are scores of inspirational stories about the legendary skills and athletic prowess of these unsung rugby heroes. Sadly, as a direct result of the oppressive system of apartheid, these rugby legends who played in the non-racial rugby unions were not afforded the accolades and glory that they so rightly deserved during their rugby playing days.

In the Islamic and other religious and cultural traditions it is a highly praiseworthy and recommended practice to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions and talents of people both during their lives as well as after they have passed on to the life hereafter. In light of this, it is our considered view that as a community we should do much more to institutionalize a tradition of acknowledging, showing gratitude for and celebrating people who touch our lives.

In this regard, the Claremont Main Road Masjid (CMRM) has made a modest effort through our tribute pages in our quarterly newsletter alMizan. We have paid tribute to people who are still alive as well as those who have passed on, and all of these tributes celebrate the character, rich history and legacies of these people.

We also paid tribute to our CMRM chairperson, Yusuf “Jowa” Abrahams on the occasion of his 70th birthday at this masjid in 2012. Boeta Jowa is a rugby legend who played in the non-racial South African Rugby Union (SARU) team that toured the Eastern Cape in 1968. He is currently a Life President of the Primrose Rugby Club and after serving as an Executive and Board member of the Western Province Rugby Football Union for more than ten years, he holds the honour of being a life member.

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Thankfully, there are many sport achievers whom we can celebrate as heroes, not only for their achievements in sport, but also for the values they uphold especially that of non-racialism and the good character they display both inside and outside of the sports arena. Yet, these aspects of their persona are seldom given full recognition. We encourage our community to continually strive for ways to celebrate the rich history and the achievements of local heroes so as to pass on their great legacies to future generations.

The Claremont Main Road Masjid is delighted to publish this tribute booklet as a remembrance and celebration of great rugby legends.

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Salie Fredericks

Salie Fredericks Sarah Boomgaard Salie Fredericks, one of the greatest players to ever grace South Africa’s rugby pitches, passed away on 6 July 2017 after a hard fought battle with diabetes.

Fredericks was born in 1943 at 33 Lee Street, District Six. He shared a two-bedroom home with his parents and nine siblings and was forcefully relocated to Lavender Hill as a result of the Group Areas Act of 1950. The act barred people of colour from entering designated white areas, which housed the better sports facilities. Despite this, Fredericks flourished into one of the best rugby players South Africa has produced. At the pinnacle of his career, the talented Fredericks could easily have walked into any international rugby squad. However, due to racist Apartheid legislation, he was never afforded the opportunity to represent his country and play for the Springboks.

Fredericks played soccer and cricket in primary and high school and only began playing rugby for a club at the age of fifteen. Although he began his rugby career as a flyhalf, who was able to kick with both feet, he was moved to play as a flanker and later as lock. In this position he played in nine Tests against the African Springboks and the South African Rugby Federation’s Proteas between 1963 and 1974. Fredericks’ rugby record is unmatched by anyone in the South African rugby community. He played over two hundred games for the non-racial Western Province (WP) team, a remarkable accomplishment. Fredericks was appointed captain of the WP team in 1967 and held this title until his retirement eleven years later. In an interview conducted before his passing, Fredericks recounted numerous highlights from his rugby playing days. He was immensely proud of his WP team who had an unbeaten record from 1968 until 1974 and won the Rhodes Trophy in 1969 and the SA Cup for three consecutive years, from 1971 to 1973. To this day, Fredericks’

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prowess on field is admired by many. Former Springbok and Stormers rugby player, Luke Watson, cites Fredericks as his childhood hero.

Fredericks was held in the highest esteem and widely respected by many in the rugby fraternity. He was often referred to as the “Muhammad Ali of rugby”. Fredericks had even earned the respect and admiration of President Zuma who paid tribute to him after his passing. President Zuma characterised Fredericks as one of the country’s “best ever rugby players who made an indelible contribution to rugby and fought for non-racialism in sport”. President Zuma further described Fredericks as “a remarkable player who selflessly chose to make a difference in South Africa’s sporting code, especially in teaching black youngsters.”

Fredericks’ desire to see an end to racialized sport earned him the respect and friendship of many in the rugby community. One such person was Dan Qeqe, a former administrator of the Kwazekele Rugby Union (KWARU). Fredericks thought of Qeqe as one his closest friends and had even stayed at Qeqe’s home in the Eastern Cape when WP played in the region. In our interview, Fredericks described how Qeqe would confide in him and ask for his advice. The two rugby legends had great admiration for one another with Qeqe asking Fredericks to be one of his pallbearers shortly before his passing.

Fredericks was not merely a phenomenal rugby player, he was an activist and fought for an end to segregation in sport. Dr. Danie Craven, who is still widely regarded as the father of South African rugby, once stated that “over [his] dead body will a non-White player wear a Springbok jersey.” This blatantly racist statement hurt Fredericks terribly as a result, he carried the hurt and resentment for many years. However, with the end of Apartheid in sight, Fredericks was among a select few of prominent rugby players of colour invited to Craven’s office. Fredericks then asked Craven for an apology and to recount the statement but Craven did not relent. Fredericks was fearless and did not allow himself to be intimidated by the so-called “legend”. A stadium in Stellenbosch and a stand in Newlands Rugby Stadium bear Craven’s name despite his racist remarks. Before Fredericks’ passing, he described Craven as his “worst enemy” because Craven was one of the many people who

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did everything in their power to ensure that Fredericks and his cadres were prevented from enjoying the recognition they deserved, through the promotion and enforcement of racially segregated sports teams.

Fredericks on the other hand, was a man who stood for equality and believed that the only quality required by a rugby player was brilliance.

While Fredericks’ friends and mentors hailed from a variety of backgrounds, his connection with the Muslim community is undeniable.

Fredericks shared a very close relationship with the late Shaykh Shakier Gamieldien of the Al-Azhar masjid in Aspeling Street, District Six. During our interview, Fredericks bashfully recounted how the late Shaykh would kiss his hand upon seeing him. This is perhaps because Fredericks was among the skilled artisans chosen from the congregation to build the Shaykh’s new home when the Shaykh was forcefully removed from District Six and relocated to Surrey Estate. Thereafter, whenever they met the Shaykh would kiss Fredericks’ hand symbolising the respect and gratitude, which he had for Fredericks.

Fredericks however, was far more than a rugby player. He was a man of exceptional character, courage and humility. The enormity of his janazah was a reflection of the great impact he had on the Muslim community. Notwithstanding, the congregation included many individuals of different faiths, ethnicities and social backgrounds. While Fredericks himself was a devout Muslim, he never judged people by their religion, race or financial standing. He was only concerned with the individual’s character and heart.

Fredericks embodied the characteristics that make a good Muslim and a good South African. He was brave, kind, compassionate, humble and selfless. His memory deserves to be cherished and his accomplishments celebrated. Perhaps it is time that Western Province Rugby reconsiders the calibre of people they celebrate and those they choose to honour by dedicating stands in their memory.

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Welile James Nkohla

Welile James Nkohla On Sunday 23 July 2017, Kwazakhele Rugby Union (KWARU) and South African Rugby Union (SARU) captain and legend Welile James “Bomza” Nkohla passed away in Port Elizabeth after a long battle with cancer.The 71-year-old Nkohla leaves behind his wife Bella and their six children.

Nkohla made his provincial debut at the age of 21 and his debut as an African Springbok and captain in May 1968. As captain of the side, he played seven “Tests”, between 1968 and 1969. The talented Nkohla played for the Oriental Rugby Club, which was established in 1894 and is the second oldest African club in the Eastern Cape. In 1973 Oriental, together with eight other clubs, broke away from the South African Board to establish the Kwazakhele Rugby Union (KWARU), which subsequently joined the non-racial South African Rugby Union.

It was here where Nkohla came up against likes of the Western Province (WP) and SARU captain Salie Fredericks as well as legendary WP scrumhalf Cassiem Jabaar.

Nkohla, who was popularly known as “Bomza, was a dynamic eighth man and an inspirational captain who led his team with distinction.

According to his colleagues he would play loose and be all over the field. He had the running and kicking skills of a backline player, which made him extremely mobile and agile as a forward. As a consequence he was the playmaker for a number of tries. Nkohla was also known for his ability to kick long touches. For this reason his colleagues describe him in the mold of the great All-Blacks number eight, Zinzan Brooke, who had outrageous skills, strength, and as a forward he had the ability of reading the game exceptionally well. As eighth man Nkohla filled many roles on the field and some claim that his creativity, strength and power was even better than Zinzan’s.

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In 2004 Nkohla together with fellow stalwarts Salie Fredericks, Cassiem Jabaar, and Fagmie Solomons, received the South African Rugby President’s Award for their contribution to the sport.

Nkohla was heavily involved in rugby until his death. He never sat back after retiring and was involved in both local and provincial rugby structures. When he died, he was still serving as a selector for the Southern Kings team. He never stopped being an ambassador of rugby, a game he loved and played so brilliantly.

Unfortunately Nkohla and many others that played in the non-racial rugby union did not have the opportunity to display their vast talent on the international stage because of the political situation in our country.

Bomza will be remembered as an uncompromising loose forward who had a huge love for South African rugby.

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Yusuf Allie

Yusuf Allie Mogamad Allie Had he not attended Hewat Training College in Athlone,Yusuf Allie may never have switched his allegiance from the round to the oval ball.

Prior to enrolling at Hewat in 1973 for a teacher’s diploma,Yusuf played as a centre half for Sinton Football Club alongside the likes of Boebie Solomons who later made a name for himself as a star player with Cape Town Spurs and then as a widely-respected coach in South Africa.

It was at Hewat where close friends Sedick Galant and Riyaadh Najaar convinced him to join the college rugby team that was affiliated to the nearby City and Suburban Rugby Football Union.

Hewat RFC had a few years earlier made a name for themselves by winning the league title with a side comprising leading SARU players like Jowa Abrahams, Okkie Morkel, Robin April and Edgar Siljeur.

“We didn’t have too many players at college so Arab (Riyaadh) and myself encouraged Joe to join us. Even though he was playing soccer at the time, we didn’t have much trouble persuading him to join us,” said Galant.

“He already had good ball skills from playing soccer and cricket (for Primrose) and coming from a sporting community in Claremont he already knew the game of rugby - we just had to teach him the finer points of the game.

“Joe developed very quickly and because he was so strong it was natural for him to play in the prop position. He progressed so quickly that when we finished at Hewat in 1975, the three of us moved together to Primrose where we all played in the first team.”

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Najaar, who went on to captain Primrose, says making the club’s first team in the late-1970s was no mean feat as they had top players in their ranks including the Magiet brothers, Rushdi, Saait and Rashaad, together with Shreef Abass, Raashied (Pottie) Conrad, Mogamat Abrahams, Paul Leo and Moegsien Galant, among others.

“Joe not only became a regular in a strong Primrose first team but also went on to represent City and Suburban at provincial level.”

The Primrose team of the early-eighties swept the boards not only at Cities where they claimed the league, Commando and Diamond (champion of champions trophy) but in 1982 they also annexed the Top Eight title, a competition that featured the league champions of the top SARU unions.

“We developed a strong bond and were very protective of each other.

Joe had a never-say-die attitude and loved training,” said Galant.

Besides his rugby career, Yusuf was also a highly-respected teacher until his retirement due to ill health in the late 1980s.

After completing his teacher’s diploma at Hewat in 1975 he, along with Najaar, joined South Peninsula High School where he remained until his retirement. He later completed a BA (Hons) in Psychology through Unisa.

“Joe was a very committed teacher who was passionate about the subjects (English and Geography) that he taught. He was well loved by his students, many of whom went on to become top professionals in their respective fields,’ says Najaar.

Born in Draper St, Claremont on 14 October 1953,Yusuf Allie attended Battswood Primary and Alexander Sinton High Schools. The son of the late Hadjie Dawood “Dout’ Allie, Yusuf passed away due to diabetesrelated complications on 13 June 2017 and leaves behind his 90-yearold mother Gadija (Aunty Patsy), two sisters, Nadeema and Fatima, and three brothers, Mogamat Zain, Rafeek and Mogamad.

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achmat isaacs

Achmat Isaacs On Sunday 25 June 2017, rugby legend Achmat Isaacs passed away after suffering a severe heart attack. He was 69 years old. Four years ago Isaac’s lost his wife, Shaheeda, and two years later their son, Waheed, passed away.

Achmat Isaacs was born in the Bokaap on 10 March 1948 and lived there all his life. He was popularly known as “Big Head” and played in the number eight position for the Stars Rugby Club based in the Bokaap.

He also represented the Western Province Rugby Union during the early seventies.

Isaacs captained the successful Stars Rugby club who won several championships in the Western Province Rugby Union based at the Green Point track from 1971 to 1973. He was a highly talented eighth man, but was versatile enough to also perform brilliantly as a centre. He was an excellent reader of the game and most of all a quick and creative thinker in the field of play. He was not a tall man but his skilled hands and swiftness more than made up for it. Despite not being injury prone, his rugby career did not last very long. Some believe that he never made it to play in the South African Rugby Union team because of the other talented eighth men he had to compete with at the time.

Achmat was a well-liked and sociable person. He had a pleasant demeanor and was good-humoured. According to his peers he was a tough rugby player but never rough. Some describe him as a gentleman rugby player, if ever there was one. He had no enemies and steered clear of controversies. He leaves behind a great legacy that was evident not only by the turnout of the community at his funeral, but also by the large fraternity of rugby and cricket personalities who attended.

Achmat was a mentor to many young rugby players in the Bokaap and until the time of his death he informally continued to provide encouragement and support to new generations of players.

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Salie Dollie

Salie Dollie Salie Dollie, more affectionately known by all as Kapoea, was born in the Bo Kaap in Church Street, opposite the mosque. He passed away on 24 June 2017, at the age of 70.

He was well-liked in the community and was pleasant, humorous and jovial at all times. In 1963 he started his rugby career in the Junior Division of the Walmer Estate Rugby Club in the scrumhalf position. He continued to play in this position until his retirement. According to his coach, Ismail Gafieldien, Salie was very popular amongst the juniors and was well-liked because of his pleasant disposition and also because he was a very nippy and skilful scrumhalf.

He attended the Roggebaai High School, currently known as Vista High, and together with many of his team mates matriculated there. Like many players in the community clubs, he entered the building trade and became a qualified painter. At this time he played in the senior ranks of the club.

In 1965 the Walmers Club withdrew from the track-based Western Province due to a dispute and were no longer affiliated to any union.

In order to continue his rugby career Kapoea joined the Young Stars Rugby club from 1966 to 1968 until Walmers joined the City and Suburban Union based in Crawford. He featured prominently in the first team and was selected to the Cities union side in 1970. By this time Salie had established himself as a painting contractor but according to one of the Walmers club senior officials, Mogamad Sedick (Foefoe) Fredericks (brother of the late Salie Fredericks), the Walmers club and his rugby were the real passions in his life. Kapoea was also a founding member of the Walmers Trust Fund which was initiated in 1968. The trust raised funds in the community to assist members and their families during bereavements and in times of emergencies.

Salie is survived by his wife Faldelah, two sons, a daughter and five grandchildren.

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