SCORES of mourners drawn from the football and music industry are today expected to bid farewell to the late Highlanders legend Tymon “Whitehorse” Mabaleka who will be laid to rest at Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo.
SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA
SPORTS REPORTER
Mabaleka, an integral player at Highlanders in the 1970s, died in hospital at the age of 64 after complaining of a fever in Harare last week.
His body was expected to arrive in Bulawayo late yesterday from Harare.
His brother Morgan yesterday confirmed the burial.
“He will be laid to rest in Bulawayo tomorrow (today). They are already on their way from Harare and they should be arriving at around 4pm to 5pm. There will be a service at the SDA (Seventh Day Adventist church) in Selbourne Park before the burial at Lady Stanley,” he said.
The service is expected to start at 9am.
Mabaleka is regarded as one of top midfielders ever to play for Highlanders after starting his career at Eastlands Football Club.
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He worked for Gramma Records in Harare and produced music for the legends Lovemore Majaivana and the late Solomon S’kuza, Ebony Sheikh, Shepherd Chinyani and the Vhuka Boys, Zora king Leonard Zhakata and the late John Chibadura.
He played in the late 1970s to early 1980s with Bruce Grobbelaar, Lawrence Phiri, Josiah Nxumalo, Ananias Dube, Boet Van As, Billy Sibanda, Gavin Dubely, Kenny Ngulube, Barry Daka and the late Majuta Mpofu, among others.
Highlanders chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede said: “We had a very good relationship with Mabaleka at Highlanders. The family is aware of that and we have said we will do whatever we can to offer assistance when the body arrives today (yesterday),” he said. “Highlanders board secretary Jimmy Ncube will present a speech on behalf of Highlanders.
“It is not going to be Highlanders chief executive officer, or the Highlanders executive, but to show how important he was the board secretary will present the speech. If they want us to take pallbearing responsibility we will. We are waiting for the family to say from which stage we can be involved,” he added.
