VUSUMZI “Bulldozer” Njisane was a world famous bodybuilder – but he died with R35 in his bank account.
At his funeral service at Kokstad City Hall on Saturday, friends and family shared tearful stories of how the former traffic cop born in Mthatha died a sad and painful death.
Vusumzi (31) died of skin cancer last week. He was ranked number two in the world, having beaten American wrestling superstar Mark Henry last year.
But he died with no money. Donations from municipalities and friends in the industry helped to bury him.
Felix Bampoe (30), the chairman of Bad Boys Fitness Club, and a close friend of Vusi’s, said they were exploited because they grew up in poverty and had a poor education.
“We were promised money by big international companies. They flew us around the world in private jets. All along we were just being used. Last year at a show in Australia, Vusi and I were injected with an unknown black fluid. Our personal trainer said it would make us look bigger more quickly.”
Vusi’s aunt, Ethel Njisane (91), said Vusi was passionate about bodybuilding and fitness. “My nephew has more than 50 trophies and championship medals he has won overseas but he died broke. I’m angry and I curse the sport.”
She said she was told Vusi had 8 000 followers on Twitter but only eight people attended his memorial service in Pretoria.
When contacted for comment, Khaya Majeke, Body Building SA chairman, said: “We are preparing for the IFBB Championship in Zambia next week. That’s why many bodybuilders could not attend. But we bought Vusi a nice coffin and a fat cow for his funeral.”
