MUSINA - Soccer lovers and dignitaries from everywhere attended the unveiling of the tombstone of the lethal striker of Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana, Lesley “Slow Poison” Manyathela, at the Musina cdementery last Saturday.

Orlando Pirates boss, Irvin Khoza's wife attended the ceremony on behalf of her husband and the team. Manyathela passed away in August, 2003, after his Golf 4 overturned about 25km outside his home town, Musina. He was on his way to celebrate Mothers’ Day with his mother, Gladys. His two children, Lesley Junior and Ofentse, also attended the unveiling of the tombstone of their father.

On behalf of Orlando Pirates, Mr Thabo Malia said that it still remains difficult for his club to replace Lesley. Malia emphasised that Manyathela was a fallen hero who was involved in an effort to develop soccer in South Africa. “Lesley was at the peak of his performance and his death was a blow to the nation,” he said.

His mother, Ms Gladys Manyathela, said that her son was like a precious diamond on her life. She appreciated the involvement of the Musina Local Municipality and Orlando Pirates FC in honouring her son.

The mayor of Musina, Cllr David Phologa, said that the municipality viewed it as crucial to honour the fallen hero who also put the border town on the football map. Mirror learnt that a total of R60 000 was utilized for the tombstone. While responding to concerns of certain residents who complained that the municipality was wasting tax payers’ money by erecting a tombstone to Manyathela, Phologa said that people must understand that they are individuals who are jealous.