Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie led the tributes as hundreds of people gathered at the Grace Bible Church in Soweto to bid a final farewell to football icon Stanley "Screamer" Tshabalala on Thursday.
The 75-year-old died last Thursday after succumbing to the injuries he sustained after he was shot during a house robbery at his house in Centurion back in March.
A special official provincial funeral was awarded to the sporting legend.
The funeral was attended by high-profile figures such as CAF president Patrice Motsepe, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, PSL chairman Irvin Khoza, SAFA President Danny Jordaan, former Bafana coaches Pitso Mosimane, Shakes Mashaba, Trott Moloto, and former players such as Edward Motale and Doctor Khumalo.
Delivering a speech at the funeral the Sports Minister McKenzie said while he did not know Tshabalala personally he was deeply touched by the former Bafana Bafana coach's work.
"I did not know Screamer but I was touched by his work and I can testify today that his life was a life well lived," McKenzie said.
McKenzie also emphasised that the football fraternity would always be by the side of the Tshabalala family.
"I want to say to you that the football fraternity will always be there for you because they have been there for Bra Stan and Bra Stan was there for them," McKenzie said.
Motsepe thanked Tshabalala family for sharing “Bra Stan” with the football world.
“May God be with you and the kids, the family will always be part of all of us and we want to thank you for giving us somebody as special as ‘Bra Stan’ Screamer Tshabalala, he will always live in our hearts and in our minds,” said Motsepe.
Tshabalala’s daughter Dineo Tshabalala described her father as a fighter and a legend.
“My dad was a fighter, my dad was a legend and my dad was loved by all of us and by everyone. I’m proud to say that’s my dad, that’s our dad he loved us all and we want to say thank you,” she said.
Tshabalala will be buried at the Westpark Cemetery in Joburg.
WATCH: Tribute to the late Bra Stanley “Screamer” Tshabalala by former Players.#RiPBraStan#GrowingGautengTogether pic.twitter.com/Kin4KYANAS
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