The African National Congress(ANC)in the Eastern Cape joins the sporting fraternity and the rest of the country in mourning the sad passing of the seasoned activist, businessman and sports administrator, Bhuti Fezile Rosehill Sobikwa who passed away on Saturday ,19th November 2022 after being ill for some time at his home.
Bhuti Feya as he was affectionately known dedicated his life to sport and rugby in particular, the eradication of racial discrimination in sport and the creation of inclusive non-racial sport in our country.
He is the founder member and former player of Kwazakhele Rugby Union (KWARU) which was established in 1971 and played a pivotal role in fighting against white Springboks and advocated the principle of “No normal sport in an abnormal society”.
Bhuti Feya contributed to three(3) out of four(4) pillars of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR) with one being Mass Mobilization through sport, forming part of the United Democratic Front (UDF) , Civic movement , underground work as he harboured many MK guerillas and through isolation of apartheid South Africa hence racist white Springboks Tour was halted in New Zealand during the 80’s.
He is a founder member of National African Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC) Eastern Cape Chapter as he belonged to the bus transportation industry and was instrumental in driving the ANC’s agenda of economic transformation. Bhuti Feya was a supporter and mentor of many young black businessmen and women: offering advice, skills development and capacity training. A dedicated sport activist and astute administrator,Bhuti Feya has been deeply involved passionately in Township Junior Rugby Development Programme (TJRDP) responsible to groom rugby nursery in our townships as many townships schools no longer play rugby. At the time of his passing ,Bhuti Feya was the Chairperson of the KWARU Trust .
The African National Congress lowers its banner to pay tribute to the colossal contribution of this martyr towards a representative sport system in South Africa and our society. His death robs South Africa of another library and a theatre of sport experience and his role in the transformation agenda in sport and rugby in particular.
We have lost a legend and a pioneer who was dedicated to sport and who has made an immense contribution to South African rugby and business. We wish to convey our deepest condolences to his wife Sisi Thabisa , Sobikwa family , relatives, friends and colleagues in both rugby and business fraternity.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
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ISSUED BY THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS-EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE
Enquiries :
Cde Gift Ngqondi
Provincial Head of Communications
Mobile No:0849519924/0848439706
