The South African Communist Party (SACP) conveys its heartfelt condolences to the family of former Bafana Bafana star, Philemon Masinga, for the loss of their son, and to the South African Masters and Legends Football Association, the South African Football Players’ Union and the nation at large.

While Philemon Masinga will be remembered mainly for the wonder goal which took South Africa to its first FIFA World Cup in 1998, arguably the most iconic Bafana Bafana goal in history, he was far more than that.  He was, importantly, a team player. He understood that his contribution to the success of the national team could not be without the contribution of the rest of his teammates.

Masinga remained humble throughout his career. This is why he was able to represent the country with utmost discipline as a professional footballer in Europe and today his death is mourned not only by South Africans but by the football fraternity in other countries.

In memory of Phil Masinga, South Africa should deepen the development of football, and equally important other sport codes as well as artistic development. This objective should firmly be integrated in our school curriculum, starting at the foundation phase. Elimination of uneven development and unequal distribution of resources between urban and rural areas, and within urban areas between suburbs and townships, will go a long way in making this objective successful. The government has crucial role to play in leading this transformation of sport and arts, and so are organisations such as the PSL, Safa, worker formations and professional bodies.

Issued by the South African Communist Party