The funeral arrangements for the founder-member of Mashau NJ Groovings Football Club, Mr Ntsoleni Johannes Makhaga (54), were at an advanced stage at the time of going to the press. He passed away after a long illness at the Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital last Friday.

Born at Mashau Thondoni on 11 February 1958, Makhaga served on various sub-committees of the then Venda Football Association, which later became known as the Great North East Province. He was the president of the Vuwani Football Association for three terms.

Makhaga was a teacher at Phinimini Primary School, an active member of the African National Congress and chairman of the Hlanganani branch of Orlando Pirates at the time of his death. He was also a pastor in the El Shaddai Church.

His memorial service will be held at his home at Mashau Misevhe tomorrow afternoon, starting at 16:00. The funeral service will be held on Sunday morning. He is survived by his wife, Ms Tsakane Makhaga, and five children.