By Monwabisi Jimlongo
One of the most knowledgeable sport commentators and former acting chief executive officer of the then South African National Boxing Control Commission (SANBCC) Dumile ‘Phesheya Phaya’ Mateza has passed away on Tuesday. He was 62.
Nala, Mateza’s clan name, passed away after he lost a battle against cancer on Monday. Mateza, who was born in Kareedouw in the Eastern Cape, made his name as a versatile sport commentator at the SABC.
Mateza, a fine broadcaster, started as a school teacher soon after he matriculated at Newell High School in New Brighton, Gqeberha, in 1979. Fresh from high school, Mateza became an acting principal despite lacking experience as a school teacher.
Mateza didn’t last long in the classroom as the bright lights of Johannesburg beckoned. He left teaching to go join the SABC in Johannesburg via Hargreaves Avenue in Qonce during the early 1980s.
Mateza, a former Boxing South Africa (BSA) board member, started out as an isiXhosa newsreader on TV before he became a revered sport commentator. He did sport commentary on both radio and TV.
Mateza, who was multilingual, was one of the SABC’s commentators during the 1995 Rugby World Cup where he did his commentary in Afrikaans.
[…] to a report by InkSports, Mateza had been sick for a while, and tributes are already pouring in for the veteran […]
He made his mark in the South African history. He will be remembered for his charming voice and his talents.
A legend has fallen, we are forever grateful for his teachings. We owe him a lot in this industry. Rest in peace Tata Mateza, condolences to his family and friends.