OUR RICH HISTORY - TONGAAT’S LOGIE NAIDOO TELLS MARGARET THATCHER SHE’S NOT WELCOME

 

 

                           

 

INTRODUCTION:

Researching through my files of articles that I had done in the mid-1980s, I came across some about the anti-apartheid leaders and organisations in South Africa taking a strong stance against the British and American Government leaders at that time.

The Natal Indian Congress, United Democratic Front and progressive community organisations took leaders such as Mrs Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Regan for their so-called “constructive engagement” policies they adopted towards apartheid South Africa at that time.

They did not support the call for economic sanctions against the former apartheid regime.

The anti-apartheid organisations, for their part,  supported the total isolation of apartheid South Africa and the imposition of economic sanctions.

Against this background, the Tongaat Town Board at this time took a decision to confer the freedom of the town to the British Prime Minister, Mrs Margaret Thatcher.

The Board took the decision after Mrs Thatcher publicly stated that she was opposed to economic sanctions against apartheid South Africa.

But the local civic organisation, led by Logie Naidoo, condemned the decision and asked Thatcher not to accept the award. Naidoo was also an activist and member of the Natal Indian Congress at that time.

We wrote an article about this and distributed it to India via the Press Trust of India and to other countries.

One newspaper published this story under the headline: “S A Indians boo Maggie” on August 30 1987.

The story read:

Durban, August 30 (PTI): The Indian residents of the Natal north coast town of Tongaat in South Africa are up in arms over the decision of the local municipal authority to confer freedom of the town on the British Premier, Mrs Margaret Thatcher, for her opposition to sanctions against South Africa.

The townsfolk through their civic association said Mrs Thatcher would not be welcome at Tongaat for her anti-sanctions stance, reports the Press Trust of SA.

The Tongaat Civic Association said the town should rather honour statesmen such as Rajiv Gandhi, Prime Minister of India; Robert Mugabe, president of Zimbabwe; or Shridath Ramphal, secretary general of the Commonwealth, for their stand against apartheid.

Logie Naidoo, the civic association’s secretary, said the Board had no mandate from Tongaat’s citizens to confer the freedom of the town on Mrs Thatcher.

“We are astounded that while towns in England and Scotland are honouring people such as African National Congress (ANC) leader, Nelson Mandela, our local authority sees fit to honour Mrs Thatcher.

“Even if South Africa were free tomorrow, Tongaat would not honour Mrs Thatcher because of her long-standing pro-South African lobby.

“Our association unequivocally condemns the decision as being insensitive and one that does not in any way reflect the thinking of the Indian community of Tongaat.

“Our association wishes to point out that the Tongaat town board is not a democratic institution,” he said.

The civic association has written to Mrs Thatcher, saying her acceptance of the freedom of Tongaat would be tantamount to condoning apartheid. Ends – Press Trust of SA Aug 30 1987

 THATCHER NOT WELCOME IN SOUTH AFRICA

 

Four months later in January 1988, the British Prime Minister, Mrs Margaret Thatcher, made headlines once again when she said she would only visit South Africa after Nelson Mandela is released from life imprisonment.

But anti-apartheid leaders hit out at Thatcher, saying she would not be welcome even in a free South Africa because of her opposition to sanctions against apartheid South Africa.

We wrote an article about this new development and the story was published in several newspapers in India after we supplied it to the Press Trust of India (PTI).

The articles were published under the headlines: “Thatcher won’t be welcome in South Africa”, “Thatcher not welcome in South Africa”, and “Thatcher no ‘friend’ of blacks” in the Hindustan Times, Patriot, Indian Express and The Hindu.

The story published in the Patriot read:

Durban, Jan 24 (PTI): British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, will not be welcome in South Africa even if her demands for the release of Nelson Mandela are met by the Pretoria Government.

Anti-apartheid leaders in South Africa took this strong stand against her following the British leader’s statements that she would consider visiting South Africa only when Nelson Mandela was released from life imprisonment.

Thatcher reportedly made the demand after completing her recent visit to Kenya and Nigeria where she stuck to her guns that sanctions were not the answer to South Africa’s political problems.

The co-president of the non-racial United Democratic Front (UDF), Archie Gumede, told the Press Trust of South Africa (PTSA) news agency in an interview that Thatcher would not be welcome in South Africa even if Mandela was released  because the British leader was not a friend of the black people of the country.

“Thatcher would do well to stay away from South Africa because she has no admirers among the black majority. As far as I am concerned her call for the release of Mandela is hollow because she really does not challenge the status quo in South Africa,” said Gumede.

“She only made the call for the release of Mandela because after her visit to Kenya and Nigeria she now fully understands the anger of Africa against apartheid in South Africa.”

An executive member of the Natal Indian Congress, Mewa Ramgobin, said he supported Gumede’s attitude against the British leader because Thatcher had never sided with the just struggles of the black people of South Africa. Ends – Press Trust of SA News Agency Jan 24 1988

 

 

SA TREASURE HUNT FOR INDIAN’S TOMB IN TONGAAT, NORTH OF DURBAN, IN SOUTH AFRICA

 

     

 

While researching my files of stories and articles that I had written during the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s, I came across an article in July 1986 about “gold” diggers lining up to drill the grave of an indentured labourer who is believed to have been buried with his wealth.

At this time, I was involved with the Press Trust of SA News Agency and we used to supply the Press Trust of India, based in New Delhi, India; other international news agencies and radio stations around the world with all types of news, especially the struggles against white minority rule and domination.

But one of non-political developments that attracted a great deal of attention in 1986 was the “treasure hunt” in the town of Tongaat, north of Durban.

We wrote the article and submitted it to the Press Trust of India.

The article was published in several newspapers in India. The Indian Express published the article on July 19 1986 under the headline: “SA treasure hunt for Indian’s tomb”.

The article read:

Durban, July 19 (PTI): South African treasure hunters are heading for the Tongaat town on the North Coast of Durban in the search of the remains of an Indian indentured labourer believed to have been buried with his riches when he died in the area in 1885.

The century-old tomb, situated near the Vanrova Gardens township in Tongaat, is believed to contain the remains of Jhapsi Raam and his wife. Both came to South Africa in the 1860s to work on the sugar plantations in the then Natal Colony.

The tomb, protected by the trunk and roots of a huge banyan tree, is believed to contain fabulous wealth.

According to Mr Manoj Singh, 60, of Gandhi’s Hill near Tongaat, his grandmother, Mrs Tetrie Singh, came to the Natal Colony on the same ship as the Raams and they were good friends, reports the Press Trust of SA.

Jhapsi Raam was a member of a cult in India whose dead were buried with their possessions.

Mr Singh said he was told by his grandmother that Jhapsi had built a tomb for his wife and he was later buried in the same tomb.

Mr Singh believes that a vast amount of wealth was buried when Mr Raam died in 1885. He said some indentured labourers were paid in gold sovereigns and coins and kept these in their homes.

Already there are signs of attempts to unearth Jhapsi’s treasure. A hole about two metres deep has been dug on the ground at the base of the tomb.

Mr Singh said people had been excavating the tomb from 1950 in the hope of finding the gold and other treasure believed to be hidden.

In recent months, news of the tomb site had spread and the number of people “trying their luck with shovels” had increased.

So far, there has been no trace of gold.

Mr Singh added it was surprising that residents of Vanrova Gardens township were staying away from the tomb, believing that those who dare to enter will be cursed. Ends – PTSA News Agency July 19 1986

OUR RICH HISTORY – THE VETERANS OF THE SA SOCCER FEDERATION MEET AT THE FUNERAL OF NORMAN MIDDLETON IN JULY 2015

 

                                                        

When in July 2015 the giant of non-racial football struggles, Mr Norman Middleton, passed away, scores of the veterans of Federation football gathered at his funeral in Pietermaritzburg in South Africa to say their final farewell.

Mr Middleton served as president of the South African Federation in the 1970s and 1980s at a time when the political struggles in the country had reached boiling point.

Mr Middleton and his fellow officials and the footballers themselves made immense contributions to the struggles for a non-racial and democratic society. They made this sacrifice despite being harassed and intimidated by the former apartheid security police.

I attended the funeral as a journalist who interacted regularly with Mr Middleton during the struggle years. I wanted to pay my tribute along with the veterans.

I captured these photographs of the veterans who attended the funeral.

ZULU HIGH SCHOOL GIRL LEAVES TO JOIN GERMAN "FAMILY" IN AUGUST 1978

 

ZULU GIRL LEAVES TO JOIN GERMAN FAMILY

 

In early August 1978, while working at the Daily News in Durban, I covered a story about a young Zulu girl from Tongaat on the North Coast in the KwaZulu-Natal  region of South Africa being chosen to join a German family.

The girl, Miss Gabriella Makhetha, was a matriculation pupil at a high school in Tongaat at that time. She was 17-years-old.

The story was published under the headline: “Zulu girl leaves to join German family” on August 10 1978.

I came across the story now while researching through my files during the Corona Virus lockdown.

It would be interesting know the position of Miss Gabriella Makhetha today now that she would be around 60-years-old.

The story I wrote in August 1978 read:

A young Tongaat schoolgirl, who early last year was chosen by a German family to be their “house daughter”, leaves for West Germany this evening to join them in Bonn.

Miss Gabriela Makhetha (17), a matriculation pupil at the Mariazella High School in Tongaat, was chosen by Mr and Mrs Nick Saudinger after she replied to their advertisement in The Daily News seeking a “Zulu house daughter”.

The Saudinger family were on holiday in Durban in January last year. Mr Nick Saudinger, a journalist, said at that time that he had decided to “adopt” a young African girl so that she could benefit from the chance to live and study overseas.

Her father, Mr Michael Makhetha, said today Gabriella was to have left for Germany sometime in July last year but had been delayed by passport and visa problems.

“She now has all her documents and there are no problems. She will study economics and be in Germany for some time,” he said. Ends – Daily News Reporter November August 10 1978

OUR RICH HISTORY – EPIC CUP FINAL BETWEEN MANNING RANGERS AND BLUEBELLS AT CURRIE'S FOUNTAIN IN EARLY NOVEMBER 1977

RECALLING NON-RACIAL FOOTBALL UNDER THE SOUTH AFRICAN SOCCER FEDERATION

      

 INTEGRATED TEAMS MEET IN FINAL

                               

MANNING RANGERS AND BLUE BELLS UNITED  MEET IN EPIC COCA-COLA CUP FINAL AT DURBAN'S CURRIE'S FOUNTAIN EARLY IN NOVEMBER 1977

 

 

Early in November 1977, two of the top teams in the South African Soccer Federation Professional League fielded fully integrated sides in a Fed Pro League cup final at Durban’s Currie’s Fountain for the first time in South African soccer history.

The two teams were Manning Rangers of Durban and Blue Bells United of Johannesburg who met in the Coca Cola Shield Final on November 6. This encounter ended in a goal-less draw. There were some incidents involving spectators during the match.

Manning Rangers won the re-play 1-0 after extra time before more than 20 000 spectators.

I was working for the Daily News at this time and went the extra mile to write a preview about the integrated nature of the teams and the developments during the cup final and the re-play.

My colleagues in the sports department not only published photos of the integrated teams but also carried a full and detailed account of the final under my by-line.

The story read:

 

INTEGRATED IN THE TRUE SENSE OF THE WORD

 

By Marimuthu Subramoney

Two fully integrated football teams will, for the first time in South African soccer history, meet in a major cup final when Durban’s Manning Rangers play Johannesburg’s Blue Bells United in the Coca Cola Shield Final at Currie’s Fountain tomorrow (Nov 6 1977).

Both teams are integrated in the true sense of the word in that they have African, Coloured, white and Indian players.

This long, overdue feature has come about in the last year or so although the South African Soccer Federation has been propagating non-racialism in the sport for more than 25 years.

A welcome aspect of the new phenomenon is the flow of white players into the folds of the Federation, a body that has been accused in the past of dragging politics into sport when it insisted on integration at all levels.

 

                     BLUE BELLS UNITED        

 

Blue Bells, who will be playing in their second cup final tomorrow, have five whites, five Africans, two Coloured players and two Indians.

One of their white players is coach Roy Jones, a former player from the English club, Swindon. Jones, 35, who played for Rangers before moving to Bells early this season, keeps goal for his new club.

The other white players are Robin Palm, a defender from Rangers; Keith Matus, a defender from Wits F C; Barry Calvert, a forward formerly with Highlands Park and Rangers; and Ronald Ellis, a defender formerly with Lusitano.

 

                      MANNING RANGERS

Manning Rangers, who has had a long history of playing friendly matches against white teams at a time when they were forbidden to do, have three white players of note.

They are goal-keeper, Douggi Coetzee; mid-field man Chicken Price; and centre-half Dave Forsyth. Price, a Springbok, and Forsyth, are on loan to Rangers from Durban United.

For the game itself, both teams are confident that they will emerge victors at the end of this premier soccer event of the Federation Professional League. A record crowd of 25 000 to 30 000 fans are expected to turn out for this clash of the giants.

For Blue Bells it may be second time lucky. In their first cup final appearance in 1975, the Johannesburg side lost to Cape Town Spurs in a replay after the first encounter ended in a draw. To egg them on will be 5 000 hometown supporters who will arrive in the holiday city by buses, cars, trains and even by air.

 

                          MAHOMED

Mr Pussycat Mahomed, the livewire Bells manager, says his team’s chances of lifting the cup are “very, very good”.

“The boys are fit and their spirits are high. We want to be the second Johannesburg team to win a major cup this season.”

Swaraj of Johannesburg won the Mainstay League cup and a R10 000 cash prize.

 

                      DEENA NAIDOO

For Manning Rangers, it is a major achievement as this is the first time since their entry into professional football in 1969 that they have reached a final.

Skipper Deena Naidoo says they have enough talent and potential to make it a grand year.

“We have put in a lot of hard work throughout the year and I am confident that we will pull it off . There is no reason why we should not win, especially after beating our rivals, Berea, in the semi-final.”

In addition to having all the ingredients for an epic clash, this encounter is destined to set the pace for team spirit and good human race relations. One thing is for sure – if there is to be any disturbance it will not be on the basis of race as has been prevalent in the ill-famed multi-national Mainstay league cup matches.

Teams:

Manning Rangers: Douggie Cotzee, Michael Moodley, Michael Samuels, Pravesh Mothiram, Dave Forsyth, Chicken Price, Sadeck Ebrahim, Mickey Pillay, Hendrik Hardley, Sugar Singh, Victor Govindsamy, Super Naidoo, Deena Naidoo, Abdul Haq, Chico Lazarus and Paulen Murugan.

 

BLUE BELLS UNITED: Roy Jones, Robin Palm, Keith Matus, Jerry Sadike, Baldwin Molepe, Suliam Bhamjee, Barry Calvert, Jacob Motaung, Ronald Ellis, Thabo Makupu, Abubaker Williams, Christopher Fortuin, Prega Thandrind and Sampson Ntuli.

Ends – Marimuthu Subramoney, Daily News Reporter  November 5 1977

 

 

STABBING AND DAMAGE AS 25 000 CRAM INTO SOCCER FINAL

 

This epic soccer final, which ended in a draw, was characterised by tensions between rival supporters on the stands.

I wrote a story about this and it was published the next day on November 7 1977 under the headline: “Stabbing and damage as 25 000 cram into soccer final”.

The story read:

One soccer fan was stabbed, toilet and other facilities were damaged and cars were damaged during the Federation Coca Cola cup final match between Durban’s Manning Rangers and P.G. Blue Bells of Johannesburg before more than 25 000 people at Currie’s Fountain in Durban yesterday.

Police arrested two men in connection with the stabbing.

The knife victim, who was stabbed in the back, was treated by first-aid men before being taken to hospital by ambulance.

The toilet facilities were damaged when some spectators, vying for vantage points, crammed the toilets at both ends of the ground to watch the match.

Some cars were damaged after spectators, locked out of the ground after the gates were shut an hour before the start, climbed roof tops to scale the high walls.

 

                       R LUTCHMAN

Mr R Lutchman, chairman of the Durban Sports Grounds Association, said about 2 000 to 3 000 people had to be allowed in free after the fans threatened to force their way in.

He said Currie’s Fountain was not big enough and fully equipped to cater for cup final matches.

He said although the Durban City Council had granted the association a loan to improve the facilities, the association still had plans to enlarge the stadium and instal extra facilities.

“We must admit that we will have to review the position when it comes to cup final matches. Currie’s Fountain is not big enough for cup final matches.

“Even New Kingsmead for that matter would not be adequate if there was to be a match between Kaizer Chiefs and Berea. The city council has to seriously consider building a bigger stadium to cater for big matches in view of the fact that professional soccer has such a big following in Durban,” he said. Ends – Daily News Reporter November 7 1977

 

 

FEDERATION CUP FINAL RE-PLAY TO BE AT CURRIE’S FOUNTAIN

 

The Fed Pro League officials were concerned at the restrictive conditions at Currie’s Fountain and there were reports that some even discussed the idea of shifting the cup final replay to New Kingsmead.

 

                           S K CHETTY

I spoke to the secretary, Mr S K Chetty, about this and he was clear that they would take the necessary precautions during the re-play at Currie’s Fountain.

I wrote the story and it was published under the headline: “Federation cup final re-play will be at Currie’s Fountain” on November 8 1977.

The story read:

The Federation Coca Cola cup final re-play between Manning Rangers of Durban and Blue Bells United of Johannesburg will be at Currie’s Fountain and not New Kingsmead on Sunday.

Mr S K Chetty, secretary of the Federation Professional League, said today that although Currie’s Fountains was not big enough and not fully equipped to cater for the cup final, the league had not considered New Kingsmead as an alternative venue.

“There is no truth in reports that we were planning to switch the match to New Kingsmead.”

He said the league would take extra precautions at the re-play to see that there were no incidents. Ends – Daily News Reporter Nov 8 1977

 

  SELL – OUT CROWD EXPECTED AT CUP RE-PLAY

 

Three days later I wrote another story about Fed Pro League officials preparing to cater for another record turn out of spectators for the Coca Cola cup final re-play on November 13 (1977).

The story I wrote was published under the headline: “Sell-out crowd expected at cup replay” on November 11 1977.

The story read:

Another capacity crowd of more than 25 000 fans is expected to cram Currie’s Fountain on Sunday for the Federation Coca-Cola Cup final replay between Manning Rangers of Durban and P.G. Blue Bells United of Johannesburg.

The match, which was played before a record crowd last Sunday, ended in a goal-less draw.

Mr S K Chetty, secretary of the Federation Professional League, said today that adequate precautions would be taken to see that spectators did not go onto the field.

He said the Durban Sports Grounds Association had built a new picket fence to keep spectators off the pitch.

He said extra officials would be posted inside and outside the ground to ensure that everything went off smoothly.

“We will shut the gates as soon as the ground is full,” he said.

 

                         R K NAIDOO

Mr R K Naidoo, president of the Federation Professional League, said he wanted to thank the spectators who attended last week’s match for their excellent behaviour.

Except for one stabbing, the spectators showed a great deal of restraint even though there was inadequate seating.  Ends – Daily News Reporter Nov 11 1977

                                    

 

CUP FINAL REPLAY GOES OFF WITHOUT A HITCH

 

The Federation Professional League (FPL) had taken all the necessary measures to ensure that the cup final replay between Manning Rangers and Blue Bells would end without a hitch.

The final was once again packed to capacity with more than 20 000 fans cheering their teams.

I wrote a story about this and it was published on Monday, November 14 (1977) under the headline: “Cup final replay goes off without a hitch”.

The story read:

The presence of a strong contingent of police and football officials saw to it that the Federation Coca Cola cup final replay between Manning Rangers and Blue Bells before 20 000 fans at Currie’s Fountain yesterday was incident free.

Local side Rangers won 1-0 via a penalty after extra time.

Black and white members of the police and soccer officials were posted throughout the ground. They had little to do as the fans, made up mainly of Rangers supporters, behaved well.

The more than 5 000 Blue Bells supporters who travelled from Johannesburg for the match last week were conspicuous by their absence.

The match went off without a hitch, unlike last week when thousands of fans scaled the fences and high walls after the gates were closed.

Police and officials yesterday kept a tight control and made sure that no one sat inside the picket fence.

At the end of the match, Rangers’ supporters carried white goalkeeper, Douggie Coetzee, shoulder high off the field. Coetzee, who joined Rangers early this season, was the star of the match.

 

                      ABC TELEVISION

 

An ABC television crew from America, which filmed the match, paid particular emphasis to the integrated nature of the teams and the crowd response to both black and white players.

The film will be shown in New York.

Mr Hennie Viljoen, Coca Cola’s export development director, complimented the Federation Professional League for organising the final in such an exemplary manner during his presentation speech.

“We are glad that the Federation is taking the lead in establishing true integrated soccer,” he said.

“The excellent behaviour of the spectators today  was due to the integrated nature of the teams. Once you have integration in soccer you will not experience any race friction whatsoever.” Ends – Daily News Reporter November 14 1977

 

TOP SOCCER FINAL BETWEEN DURBAN’S BEREA AND CAPE TOWN SPURS IN MAY 1976 ENDS IN BAD TASTE

Our Rich History days in fighting for non-racial soccer also had its moments of setbacks on the field.

I reported this development when the Federation Professional League cup final between Berea of Durban and Cape Town Spurs on May 6 1976 ended prematurely. The match was called off after 10 minutes of extra time when fighting broke out between players, between spectators and thugs invading the field.  

I wrote three articles on this cup final – a preview on May 5 1976 about 18 000 fans expected to flock to Currie’s Fountain; the battle-scarred final and about Cape Town Spurs expected to be fined for walking off the field.

The article on May 6 1976 was published under the headline: “18 000 expected at Currie’s cup final”. The article read:

              

 

        18 000 EXPECTED AT CURRIE’S CUP FINAL

 

More than 18 000 soccer fans are expected to attend the cup-final replay between Durban’s Berea and Cape Town Spurs of the South African Soccer Federation Professional League at Currie’s Fountain tonight.

Mr S K Chetty, secretary of the SASF Professional League, has appealed to spectators to go to the ground early in order to avoid a last-minute rush.

Mr Chetty said special security arrangements had been made for the protection of cars parked outside the ground.

He said arrangements had also been made for buses to transport spectators to Wentworth, Merebank, Chatsworth, Overport and Sydenham after the match. Ends – Daily News Reporter May 6 1976

 

       FIGHTS, STABBING IN SOCCER UPROAR

 

While the FPL had made arrangements for security to protect cars outside the ground, it seems it failed to take steps to prevent spectators from smashing one another on the stands and educating players against the use of violence on the field.

I wrote this article and it was published under the headline: “Fights, stabbing in soccer uproar” on May 7 1976.

The story read:

A spectator was stabbed seriously, a player had his leg broken and fighting among players marred the Federation Professional League Cup Final between Durban’s Berea and Cape Town Spurs at Currie’s Fountain last night.

The battle-scarred match was called off in the tenth minute of the first half of extra-time at a stage when the Durban team was leading 3-2.

The spectator was stabbed by a knife-wielding man who plunged a blade several times into the spectator’s body and then threw the knife into the crowd.

A man was arrested by the police.

 

                      NAZIEM MAYAT

Naziem Mayat, who played at left back for Berea, broke his leg after he collided with Boubie Solomons, the Spurs inside right.

Mayat, a student doctor doing his internship at King Edward V111 Hospital, was taken to the Shifa hospital by ambulance.

Fighting among players erupted in the tenth minute of extra time when Berea’s diminutive Dudu Moonsamy was tripped from behind by Spurs’ rugged forward, George van Niekerk.

 

                   SCAMPY BISESWAR

Scampy Biseswar, the Berea centre forward who substituted for Mayat, retaliated and then other players punched and kicked each other.

It was an ugly incident and officials and police had to run onto the field to chase away spectators who also joined the melee.

After this, Spurs walked off the field and refused to play.

 

                        COACH IVAN SAUNDERS

Berea coach, Mr Ivan Saunders, said after the match that he was disappointed at the tactics of the visiting team.

“These boys can’t take a beating. As far as I am concerned the referee blew for full time and awarded the match to us.

“We will not consider playing this final again,” he said.

 

                       PUZZY JANSEN

The Spurs’ manager-coach, Mr Puzzy Jansen, said: “Berea can take the Cup. We are not interested anymore.”

The SASF Professional League will hold an inquiry into the incident today. Ends – Daily News Reporter May 7 1976

 

       WALK-OFF TEAM COULD FACE R1000 FINE

                                       

 

Then four days later on May 10 1976 I followed-up the unnecessary incidents during the Fed Pro League cup final with a story about Cape Town Spurs facing a hefty fine for walking off the field during the extra-time of the match.

The story, published under the headline: “Walk-off team could face R1 000 fine”, read:

 

Cape Town Spurs, the Western Province professional soccer team that walked off during the extra-time of Friday night’s turbulent cup final against Durban’s Berea, could be fined R1 000 by the South African Soccer Federation Professional League.

Mr S K Chetty, secretary of the league, told The Daily News today that the Cape team could be liable for the fine if found guilty by the misconduct and inquiry board.

“An inquiry will be held as soon as we receive reports of the match from the referee and the 0ALteams,” he said.

The stormy cup final was called off in the 10^th minute of extra-time by referee Lingia Moonsamy when fighting caused spectators to rush onto the field.

Earlier, a spectator was stabbed and Berea’s left-back, Naziem Mayat, had to be rushed to Shifa Hospital with a broken leg. Ends – Daily News Reporter May 10 1976

OUR RICH HISTORY - BEREA – SUNDOWNS FPL FINAL AT CURRIE’S FOUNTAIN ON NOVEMBER 14 1976

 

 

During the 1970s and 1980s while working for the Daily News and the Press Trust of SA News Agency most of my articles on soccer related to the struggles for the establishment of non-racial soccer, non-racial sport and a non-racial society in general. But at the same time, I also covered professional matches related to the Federation Professional League (FPL).

One such FPL match was the Coca Cola Shield final between Berea of Durban and Sundowns of Pretoria at the mecca of non-racial sport, Currie’s Fountain, on November 14 1976.

I did a preview of the match and this was surprisingly published on the main sports back page on November 13 1976 under the headline: “We’ll win tomorrow!” and the sub-headlines: “That’s what both Berea and Sundowns are saying about their replay.”, and “25 000 fans can expect a treat at Currie’s Fountain.”

The story read:

Berea manager Don Mudaly and his Sundowns counterpart, Cliffe Andrews, are both cocksure that their respective teams will emerge victorious in the R12 500 Federation’s Coca Cola shield final replay at Currie’s Fountain tomorrow.

Mudaly and Andrews are confident that their players will dish out the same brand of football that earned them high praise after the epic final last week. It ended in a 3-3 draw before more than 30 000 fans.

Mudaly, an enthusiastic young man who has managed the Durban team for the past three years, said:

                         RECOVERY

“We could have sewn up the match last week, but our boys missed a number of gilt-edged chances. Despite the poor showing of some of the players, we managed to pull back after a 2-0 deficit at half-time.

“Our recovery has put us in the right frame of mind and I think we have a psychological advantage over Sundowns tomorrow.

“We admit that our opponents are a top team, but we have one or two things up our sleeve to overcome them.”

And Andrews, a genial sports administrator who has steered Sundowns to its present height of glory, said:

                         ATTACK

“We are working on a plan, but at this stage it will be unwise of me to divulge our strategy against Berea. I can assure you that we will not be making the same mistakes like last week.

“We may have one or two changes because some of our players are on the injury list. Tomorrow’s match will decide who are the kingpins in our league.”

Scampy Biseswar, the tough Berea striker who was suspended for six matches, will come out of cold storage to strengthen the attack that seemed inept and out of touch against the strong and witty Sundowns defence, ably led by skipper Neville Williams.

Biseswar, if chosen for the final line-up, will be of tremendous assistance to fiery left-winger, James George, and teenage “bomber”, Stanley Govender, who proved his mettle last week by notching two of Berea’s three goals.

Missing from the Berea line-up will be wing-half, Vicky Vally, who left on a delayed honeymoon to Europe this week. His place will most probably by taken-up by the fast-tackling Angus McPhail.

                         FEARED

The players who are expected to play a key role in the Berea side will be Daya Maistry, Gavin Snyman, and Charles Carey in defence, and James George, Pat Blair, Govender, and Dudu Munsamy in attack.

Sundowns, in their first year in professional football in the league, will rely heavily on Williams, Don Lucas, Jacques Lucas and Clifford Dirksen in defence and dribbling wizard Vincent Julius and wily Gene Adams in attack.

Julius, who has been priced at R25 000 by the Pretoria team, is one of the most feared front runners in the country. His potential to leave defences at sixes and sevens was clearly shown last week when on many an occasion he outwitted evergreen Daya Maistry, Vicky Vally and Gavin Snyman in the Berea defence.

The match itself promises to be another pulsating and electrifying affair, as the stakes are high. Beside the honour in winning the coveted Coca Cola shield, a great deal of money is in for the taking.

The expected capacity crowd are in for another treat and can be assured that proper seating will be provided for all.

Mr S K Chetty, secretary of the Federation Professional League, said today the league would make provision for 25 000 people only.

“The house-full sign will go up once the stadium is full,” he said.

He said the gates would open at 10am and the first match would be played at 11am between Tulip Rangers and Coleen Athletics in the Southern Natal Soccer Board’s third division league decider.

The curtain raiser to the final will be the SNSB’s Coca Cola cup final between Leeds of Wentworth and Durban Suburbs of Tills Crescent.

The main match will kick off at 3pm.

The referee for the big game is Lingiah Munsamy and his linesmen are Dawood Shaikh and Keith Nelson.  Ends – Daily News Reporter – Marimuthu Subramoney November 13 1976