BULAWAYO was yesterday plunged into mourning following the death of Highlanders Football Club legend Willard Mashinkila-Khumalo.
By Staff Reporters
Khumalo, who died on Saturday due to heart failure, rose to stardom as a Highlanders and Dream Team player in the 1990s.
He coached Bosso and also served as a welfare manager until last season.
There was an outpouring of grief on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter following the announcement of the likeable Mashinkila-Khumalo’s death.
Higher and Tertiary Education minister Jonathan Moyo led the tributes, describing the former midfield wizard as iqhawe labantu ( people’s hero).
Bulawayo residents said Mashinkila-Khumalo was not only a Highlanders legend, but a national hero.
Former Highlanders FC secretary-general Nhlanhla Dube described him as a ‘people’s hero’.
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“In football terms he was certainly a people’s hero not only at Highlanders FC as a player and later as a coach and manager, but nationally through his exploits with the Warriors,” Dube said.
“He touched hearts and lives at various other clubs where he coached and played.
“If our country indeed recognised and accorded sporting hero status then Willard Khumalo would undoubtedly be an uncontested national hero. He will always be a people’s hero, accepted and celebrated by all citizens.”
Beke Tshabalala of Luveve said Mashinkila Khumalo, who featured in the famous Dream Team coached by the late German mentor Reinhard Fabisch, was not only a hero, but a legend.
“His death to me is devastating. It’s difficult to comprehend the loss to his family and football community,” Tshabalala said.
“There is no doubt that Mawi is a national hero and a legend. But the problem with Zimbabwe is that the hero status is a preserve for politicians.”
Patrick Marara said Mashinkila-Khumalo was humble and down to earth.
“I’m shocked that our football legend has passed on, he was a nice and humble guy who interacted with everyone in the society, it’s a sad loss for the Bulawayo community especially soccer lovers,” Marara said.
“We grew up watching him play and during his era when he played for the national team, he represented the country well and I was a huge fan of him.
“Mashinkila-Khumalo was a good player and was valuable to the Zimbabwe national team during his time.”
Ben Chester said Mashinkila-Khumalo brought joy to the country and his legacy should never be forgotten.
“Mashinkila-Khumalo was good person; he brought joy to his fans. He was, infact, a hero in Zimbabwean soccer,” Chester said.
“He and the late Adam Ndlovu deserve the same heroic appreciation for their contribution towards local sport.
“I feel he deserves a memorial match, a soccer cup in his honour. I was a great fan of the soccer legend and I just pray his family finds comfort at a time like this.”
Veteran journalist, Methuseli Moyo also said Mashinkila-Khumalo deserved national honour as he united the nation through his footballing exploits.
“Undoubtedly he is a hero. He was a member of the Dream Team, which united the nation more than anything else,” he said.
“That was a special class of national ambassadors and deserves national honour. Willard Khumalo was the (Manhester City star) Yaya Toure of Zimbabwean football.
“He was serious about his job, respected leadership, supporters and opponents. He would entertain the crowd and still achieve results for the team.”
On behalf of Highlanders supporters in South Africa, Daniel Malokele posted on Facebook: “Willard Nduna Khumalo. We have lost one of our greatest soccer legends.”
