LIMPOPO MIRROR
2 31 October 2014
Photos from the family album
Mbulaeni Tongai Mulaudzi was born on 8 September 1980 at Muduluni in Kutama.
Many years ago ... Mbulaeni Mulaudzi (third from left), photographed with his sisters.
By Kaizer Nengovhela
World mourns death of Olympic silver medalist The whole of South Africa, and especially the athletics fraternity, have been shocked by the death of former 800 metre Olympic silver medallist Mbulaeni Mulaudzi (34), but it is difficult for his family to come to terms with the incident. He died in a car crash last Friday. He was driving alone on the R555 between Ogies and Witbank in the early hours of Friday morning when his car overturned. He was on his way to a meeting of Athletics South Africa in Johannesburg. His father, Mr Mukondeleli Mulaudzi said to Limpopo Mirror that the family, and especially his mother, was struggling to cope after they received the devastating news. He said they were receiving support from the community, who have been flocking to Muduluni village since early Saturday morning. “We accept what has happened. The members of our community are very supportive; they arrived here as early as six o’clock and are still coming to support us. His mother is still in great shock and very weak,” he added. Mr Mulaudzi said that the area had lost a role model who was dearly loved and respected. “He grew up a disciplined boy and we are very proud of all his achievements.” Mbulaeni attended Mmbambada Primary School and then went to Kutama High, where he matriculated. In 2000, he received a bursary from the Vaal Triangle Technikon and was studying sports management at that institution. His running career started on the dusty roads and sports fields of his village. He later won the national junior title, but after beating inter-
national star Hezekiel Sepeng, Mulaudzi began to gain in confidence. His former coach, Mr Makonde Makhumisani, said that he had invited Mbulaeni to train with him when the athlete was in Grade 9. He further said that he remembered when he participated in his first provincial competition at Polokwane, Mbulaeni ended stone last. The Limpopo provincial government says it will help the family of Mbulaeni with the funeral arrangements. The acting premier and MEC for the Treasury, Mr Rudolph, Phala led a delegation to the Mulaudzi home on Monday. Phala said that a memorial service would be held today (Friday) and he would be laid to rest on Saturday. “We have set up a team with the Makhado, Capricorn and Vhembe municipalities and that team will be A mourning mother, Mrs Sarah Mulaudzi. working on all the preparations. The memorial service on Friday will be for the whole province and the family of Mulaudzi. It will take place at the TWCC Church in Midoroni and will start at 14:00. The funeral will take place at Muduluni.” It was also announced that Pres Jacob Zuma would visit the family on Friday. He will be attending an event in Giyani, but will first pay his respects at Mudulini. Mulaudzi's family has thanked South Africans for their overwhelming support during this difficult time. Family spokesperson Lutamo Ramuedzisi says, “We appreciate the fact that the government has decided to come on board because Mbulaeni was an international icon.” Mulaudzi is survived by his parents, three sisters and son Mulisa Mbulaeni's father, Mr Mukondeleli Mulaudzi. (10), who is in Grade 6.
By Kaizer Nengovhela Mbulaeni Mulaudzi (left) photographed with his uncle.
Messages of condolence to Mulaudzi family
Since the announcement of the death of 800-metre king Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, messages of condolences to the international star's family have poured in. Apart from Pres Jacob Zuma, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula and various sectors of government, Vhavenda King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana sends his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mulaudzi. "We are saddened by the untimely death of this sporting hero, who represented Vhembe, Limpopo and South Africa at both national and international level. This is a very painful loss, not only to his family, but also to me as the leader of the Vhavenda people." He added the country would be much poorer "without its son, Mulaudzi. We had grown acA young Mbulaheni Mulaudzi, photographed with a fellow athlete, customed to his presence. Mbulaeni proved to the Sagagamba, during an athletics meeting at the Thohoyandou Stadium. youngsters that if one develops one's talent, one
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Limpopo Mirror acknowledges the photographs of Tertius Pickhardt of Touchline (Mulaudzi with flag at Commonwealth Games), Chris Ricco and Barry Aldworth, both of Backpagepix, in our front-page collage.
can become a better person in life," the king said. The mayor of the Makhado Municipality, Cllr David Mutavhatsindi, said that he was saddened by Mulaudzi’s death, which came as a shock to him. “It is still unbelievable. We were still expecting a lot from him,” he said. He mentioned that Mulaudzi will always be remembered for his good work and added that Mulaudzi had put Limpopo and the Makhado Municipality on the map. He urged young people to emulate Mulaudzi and follow in his footsteps. " We need young people like him who will do us proud. He will never be replaced in our hearts. May his soul rest in peace,” said Mutavhatsindi. The ANC Youth League expressed their shock about the death of Mulaudzi. “We will always be proud of him and his name shall forever be that of a national hero from humble beginnings,” the league said. The DA added that Mulaudzi's passing, just a year after his retirement from professional athletics, had robbed our country of an excellent mentor, “whose contribution to nurturing young athletes would have helped revive SA's prestige in athletics. We hope that his achievements will spur current and upcoming athletes to reach the apex of excellence in athletics,” a spokesperson for the DA said. Mr Patrick Sikhutshi, leader of Cope in the Limpopo
Provincial Legislature, described Mulaudzi as “our golden boy”, who had achieved much internationally by putting this country on the map. He added that many deaths were occurring on the country’s roads “and too little is done to arrest the situation.” In a statement, the Limpopo Legislature also mourns the death of Mulaudzi and the Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa. “It is with deep sorrow that we pay tribute to the memory of our fallen icons, the former world 800-metre Olympic champion and Bafana Bafana captain. We are still battling to come to terms and accept the passing of such young and wonderful souls. This is a loss to the families, the sporting fraternity, and the nation at large,” the legislature states.
Mbulaeni Mulaudzi