MEC Ngongo urges Border to have rugby league in honour of late prop Makwedini

Eastern Cape sports MEC Sibulele Ngongo has pleaded with Border Rugby for the union to establish a rugby league in honour of lateformer SA schools prop Luqobo “Bibo” Makwedini. Border have since made a promise to follow the MEC‘s plea. Makwedini died aged 20 last month after reportedly suffering cardiac arrest during a training session with French Pro D2 club Béziers at the Stade de la Gayonne.

His funeral service was attended by scores of people from across the country at the Komga Sports field in his hometown of Qumrha near KuGompo City on Saturday. “We need to have a league here named after Bibo to make sure that his legacy continues,” Ngongo said. “What Bibo did to come from Qumrha and play in France is something incredible that must not be forgotten because he beat all the odds to be where he found himself and should be used as inspiration,” she said.

Border top brass, which included executive member Theo Mvalo among others, were in attendance. New president Mvalo, who was voted into the position on Sunday morning, told the Dispatch that Border Rugby are going to start a new tournament for U21s in the region, and it could likely be named after Makwedini. “The reason behind it is that Makwedini was 20 years old, and it’s fitting.

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“We did speak with the managing director, and as the new executive, we will have more discussions.” Makwediniwas a product of Komga Primary School, where his promise as a young player earned him a full scholarship for high school. He attended Durban Boys’ High before moving to Wynberg High in Cape Town.

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