He passed away on Tuesday, following kidney failure at the Johannesburg Academic Hospital in Johannesburg.
This was confirmed by wife Asanda.
“It was complicated and he was in pain‚” Asanda told Sowetanlive.
“He was complaining about painful kidneys and sore legs.
“He was in and out of hospital since April and things got out of hand in July.
“He died at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (on Tuesday morning).”
I met Mzi -open book type of a guy and chubby- who would always break an ice with a smile whenever we met at soccer matches years’ ago, through his sister whom we used to work with at now defunct e’Vibe Music Magazine.
“Mhlekazi why aren’t you smiling, life is way too short to be serious,” he would address me accompanied by a huge chuckle-as was his physique.
He was fearless in his reportage and at times stepped on toes of football administrators -all in unearthing the truth football is synonymous for.
As a result he won awards and hearts of many.
By then he was with Sunday Times, as a senior reporter before joining Etv.
At the time health was taking a toll on him, Mzi was an SABC sport analyst.
At the time of publishing SAFA had sent messages of condolences to the family.
According to wife, this ‘gentle giant’ will be laid to his final rest September 8 (next Friday). He was 40.
Rest eternally in Peace Mhlekazi, the sport fraternity is poorer without you!
