Ramokgopa said they are “busy working on a project with Gordon Igesund to help preserve Tommy’s legacy and also to encourage young people to have an interest in sport in general, not just soccer as Tommy would have loved that.
He said he was confident that the council would not dispute naming a monumental building after the soccer legend.
“This is a tremendous loss not only to the community of Atteridgeville but to the country as a whole. I am confident that the council and government will not deny us the opportunity to honour his memory as that is a definite plan. As the City of Tshwane, we will make certain that his inspiration and his vision lives on,” he said.
This comes after the friends and family members of the legendary football and coaching star “Chincha Guluva” had called for the municipality to acknowledge the unsung soccer legend.
The chairperson of Madigage’s foundation, TM8, Ntime Skhosana said it would be a fitting honour to a man who has given himself selflessly to serve the country’s soccer fraternity and as a foundation they have already started.
“We would like the City of Tshwane to help protect his lasting legacy,” said Skhosana.
Skhosana said “Tommy” as he was affectionately known to many, had done remarkable deeds through his foundation.
“He had plans to celebrate his 42nd birthday with the orphans at Leamogetswe Safety Haven in Pretoria. This shows what type of man he really was, a helpful person, especially at developing soccer talent at grassroots levels.
“Most importantly we want to present his name for consideration to the state and geographical naming committee so that his legacy lives on.”
Madigage was known for his humility and care for all people. He met his death in a car accident in Limpopo while he was heading back to Pretoria from visiting his mother and ‘wife-to -be’ on Thursday night.
Skhosana said his funeral will be held at his hometown Driekop, near Burgersfort in Limpopo on Sunday.
“We are appealing to the general public to make sure that we give Tommy a hero’s send-off which he deserves and restrain from creating further pain and sorrow to the family, community and society.
“Let us afford all these parties a culturally sensitive but descent grieving period,” he said.
Having met “Chincha” during media open days whilst at SuperSport showed what kind of a person he was. Always talkative and joking with everyone who cared to listen, Tommy made our task easier as opposed to his counterparts.
Famous for his ZCC cap and badge, the down to earth character made the players’ to confide in him more than the headcoach. A father figure, if you may who never boasted about neither accumulations nor achievements. Its’ only now we learnt about his business interest, amongst others.
Various leading political parties, MEC’s, football fraternity, business organizations, individuals, churches and humanitarians, have send message of condolences.
The late Oom Dan Setshedi used to call him Madi-gage during commentary. Yes, we’re poorer without you!
Robala Ka Kagiso. To your family, friends, and large followership of ZCC in this Continent, robalang ka ntho madi a tshologe. Tshidisegang!
