LEGENDARY footballer Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe was honoured and gifted a wheelchair on Tuesday, 8 November.
The event was hosted at Lucas Moripe Stadium by Tshwane social development and community services MMC Peggy de Bruin.
During the handover, De Bruin thanked other football legends and stakeholders for participating.
“I am humbled. As small as the event is, it still means a lot to me and the City of Tshwane,” she said.
De Bruin said legends were not celebrated enough.
READ MORE | Urgent message for Sassa beneficiaries!
“This is the beginning of honouring our people. Let’s learn to celebrate our people while they are still alive.”
De Bruin said in the old days, soccer players didn’t have proper support. “He is a humble man and a legend. I put my head on the block and I’m committed to making a difference as long as we all come on board,” said De Bruin.
“The effort should be made by different stakeholders. I am happy to touch lives and celebrate our people.”
Itumeleng Mathews, who is Lucas’ nephew, said it was a relief to see legends being recognised.
“I am humbled and happy that my uncle has a wheelchair and can go wherever he wants,” he said.
Itumeleng said his uncle struggled to walk as he had problems with his feet.
Patrick Tabane from Atteridgeville and Saulsville Sports and Recreation said: “I am very happy about this donation. We were waiting for this moment.”
You must be SIGNED IN to read comments
Honorary president of the South African Football Assocation (Safa) in Tshwane and former Safa NEC member Simon “Terror” Sebapu said Lucas was a hero in South Africa. His former teammate at Pretoria Bantu Callies, Phillip Sebanda, said: “It was a great moment to see him remembered in such a way.”
