16 November 2023 – The South African Football Association (SAFA) President Dr Danny Jordaan has joined millions of South Africans in mourning former Sowetan Sports Editor Sello Rabothatha who passed away at his home on the East Rand on Wednesday (15 November 2023).
He was 68.
Rabothatha is one of the three Sowetan Sports journalists, together with the then Sports Editor Molefi Mika and the late S’Busiso Mseleku, who coined the name Bafana Bafana when South Africa was readmitted into FIFA in the early 1990s.
‘’We have lost yet another dedicated servant of the game, an intelligent and efficient journalist. I traveled with Sello during the 2006 FIFA World Cup bid as well as the 2010 bid.
‘’He was a smart journalist and a patriotic individual who was quick to tell naysayers who thought South Africa was not capable of hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup the true story about this country. He was frank and spoke his mind too,’’ said SAFA President.
Dr Jordaan said during his years as a senior Sports journalist, Rabothatha mentored a good number of the current crop of journalists.
‘’He left behind a rich legacy and would love to see the current crop of journalists carrying his mantle going forward,’’ added Dr Jordaan.
‘’To his family, friends, and associates we join you in mourning this giant of South African journalism. May his soul RIP.’’