The African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape is saddened by the passing of renowned SA soccer legend , Mr Luvuyo Barracks Ncadana.
Bra Bara as he is affectionately known passed away yesterday, 07 May 2025 after he has not been well for some time.
Barracks Ncandana comes from a soccer family with his brothers , the late Wele who played for Red City Babes and Velile “Veza ” who played for Red City Football . He was not an ordinary sportsman, he loved and lived sport. He imagined and dreamed sport. He played and practised sport.
He perfected and excelled in soccer emerging from the dusty Block 44 at Red Location( Elalini eBomvu) at the tender age of 12 years wherein he played for the U12 and U14 of Red City Football Club (Umzobomvu) and later joined the PE Express ( Amazion) from Enkomponi but left with late soccer legend , Poppy Forster and Gerald Majola to form part of CCX Callies (Amakhenya) in New Brighton.
Bra Bara was also a boxer and in 1972 he represented Eastern Cape province in the SA Nationals Boxing Championships in Bloemfontein.
He began his professional soccer career at the prestigious football club , Umtata Bush Bucks Football Club which played in the National Soccer League (NSL) and was later appointed as a Captain playing with the likes of Fezile Momo , Kina Poswa and Gitla Mkhathini.Theirs was a formidable, feared and respected outfit that contributed immensely to the development of soccer in the former Transkei and the country.
Bra Bara was also an educator and having taught the following subjects ,geography and history at Zangqele Secondary School at Kaplan Location in Mthatha.
He also served as Treasurer of Cricket Transkei, Schools Team Manager of Athletics and Technical Director of Bay United Football Club.
He continued to share and transfer his knowledge and experience to the new generation of South African soccer stars as a soccer analyst with the public radio station ,Umhlobo Wenene until his passing.
Bra Bara belongs to a special generation of footballers who used their skills to change their lives and destiny in the Football Industry.
He was very unique because he resisted all sorts of temptation which destroyed many promising careers of other sportsmen and women. Bra Bara’s focus and determination to succeed enabled him to achieve many important things in the game.
His achievements on the pitch puts him amongst one of the best defenders to have ever come out of the streets of South Africa’s township; at a time when structured football development was unheard of in this country. He was one of the true gentlemen of the game and an exceptional South African who has contributed a great deal to the sporting landscape of our nation and football in particular.
Barracks was not only a soccer legend . He also served his church with distinction. He was devout Christian. He never saw a contradiction between serving God and serving sport. His last professional journey was at Department of Transport serving as an Assistant Director in the Sarah Baartman District until his retirement in 2021.
His passing is not only a loss to football but also a loss to the entire sporting fraternity, as he was a disciplined South African ambassador, on and off the field.
Bra Bara left a legacy of “wonderful memories of his football career” and would always be remembered as a legend.
We lower our banners and flags to pay tribute to this son of the soil for his colossal contribution in the life of sport in South Africa and football in particular. His immense contribution in sport and recreation in general and soccer in particular will not go unnoticed. He will be forever remembered by all soccer loving people of South Africa.
We would like to take this opportunity to say ‘akwehlanga lungehlanga; kunje kuzo zonke iintlanga; lalani ngenxeba mzi ontsundu; kunje kuzozonke izizwe, kunje kuzo zonke iintlanga; thuthuzelekani!’
Our sincerest condolences to the Ncandana family, relatives, friends and peers in the football fraternity.
May his legendary and talented soul repose in perfect and eternal peace…
Farewell Legend!
Hamba kahle Tshawe!
Lala ngoxolo Mdange!
**ENDS**
ISSUED BY THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS – EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE
Enquiries :
Cde Gift Ngqondi
Provincial Head of Communications
ANC Eastern Cape
Mobile No- 0849519924/0848439706
