The local football fraternity suffered a terrible blow, following the death of one of the unforgettable community builders in Limpopo. Dowelani Mutwautshila (40) of Ha-Makhuvha was the managing director and sole sponsor of Mudaswali United Brothers and Dolphins FC.

Mutwa, as his admirers affectionately called him, fell ill last month and died last week after some illness at Tshilidzini Hospital. Hundreds of mourners gathered at Ha-Makhuvha to pay their last respects when he was laid to rest at the weekend.

Born at Ha-Makhuvha village, Mutwa attended school at Khubvi Primary and Silemale High School. He worked for some time in Johannesburg and came back a few years ago to establish his motor spares business.

Being a former soccer player himself, Mutwa sacrificed and sponsored his two teams through the little income from his motor spares business. A visibly disturbed family representative, Lawrence Mutwa, told mourners that the family had accepted the loss although it was difficult cope. "We understand and accept that Dowelani is gone, but it will be very difficult for us to live without him. However, it is also important to acknowledge community support since we were greeted with the bad news. God has done His will and there is nothing we can do because the situation is irreversible."

On behalf of the South African Football Association, Mr Thivhonali Nemavhola said the soccer fraternity had suffered a setback after losing one of the pillars who struggled to develop the game without gaining anything. "The fact that Mutwa used his own money to develop soccer proves that he was a real community builder. He kept our youths busy through sports, thereby discouraging them from participating in crime. We acknowledge his contributions to the development of soccer and we thank God for giving him to us throughout these years."