Matthew Booth praises Shakes Mashaba’s influence and lasting legacy

Former Bafana Bafana defender Matthew Booth has paid tribute to Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba, describing the former South Africa coach as a principled leader whose influence extended well beyond the pitch.

Booth, now a pundit on SuperSport, was speaking at the Shakes Mashaba Legacy Golf Day, held at Ruimsig Country Club in Roodepoort, Johannesburg.

The event was organised to raise money towards Mashaba’s medical care. The 76-year-old, who celebrated his birthday in August, has been in and out of hospital in recent times and is wheelchair-bound while battling an unspecified illness.

Booth said he had been invited by the Mashaba family to address those attending the golf day and reflected on the impact the coach had made during his time with the national team.

“Recently I had the honour of being asked by the Mashaba family to speak at the Shakes Mashaba Foundation Golf Day,” Booth said.

“One of my main points that I highlighted during the speech was the fact that Coach Shakes was certainly not a ‘yes-man’! This principled stance rubbed off on a number of us during our six-year journey together as young national team footballers.

“He would also make it a point to surround himself with competents… like coaches Kenny Ndlazi and Thabo Dladla who were therefore able to step into the fold when necessary.”

Booth pointed to South Africa’s 3-1 victory over Brazil at the 2000 Sydney Olympics as an example. Mashaba was suspended for the match, leaving Kenny to lead the team.

“South African leadership has a habit of surrounding themselves with incompetent sycophants… a form of protectionism… which weakens the organisation immensely and inhibits succession planning,” he added.

Booth said seeing Mashaba in a wheelchair had made him emotional as he recalled their shared experiences. He also remembered meeting the coach for the first time in 1994.

“When we first met him in 1994 he walked into the changing room and brought with him a presence. In isiZulu the correct word, perhaps, would be ‘isthunzi’,” Booth said.

“Coach… whether you walk into the room or are wheeled… you will always retain that presence.”

He also addressed Mashaba’s wife, apologising for the time she and the family had lost with him during the coach’s years of national team camps and travel.

“Your family unit would have inevitably lost something. For what it’s worth, generations of young men have benefited from your loss,” Booth said.

He credited Mashaba’s paternal instincts, leadership, knowledge and understanding with helping the players during their careers.

Booth said Mashaba’s name would remain closely associated with youth football and the development of young players.

“When you and I are long gone and football fans in the distant future discuss youth football and how to nurture and implement it properly… your name will be synonymous with it,” he added.

“A legacy to be proud of.”