Cricket South Africa (CSA) have conveyed their condolences following the news of the passing of one of South African cricket’s legendary administrators and Border Cricket icon, Shepherd Ngcaba.
Stemming from the Eastern Cape, Ngcaba played an immense role in fostering and promoting the game of cricket across a province, particularly in the rural areas, with a rich sporting and cricketing history that has produced great Proteas talents such as Makhaya Ntini and Ayabonga Khaka.
Mr Ngcaba, who was also the Honourary Vice-President of Border Cricket, received the coveted Khaya Majola Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2015 CSA Awards for his unwavering commitment to making cricket an accessible sport for all South Africans.
Paying respects to Ngcaba’s contribution to cricket and Eastern Cape sport, CSA Chief Executive Officer, Pholetsi Moseki said: “South African and Eastern Cape cricket has lost one of its great forebearers of the sport, a character that, through his and his peers’ passion and diligence, helped our game transition to its modern form while expanding to previously overlooked regions of our nation.
“His recognition through the Khaya Majola Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015 was testament to his significant contributions in furthering the sport we all love. A true giant has fallen.”
CSA Board Chairperson, Lawson Naidoo said: “The game of cricket in this country owes a huge debt of gratitude to idols such as Shepherd Ngcaba for the role they played in helping shape the future of the sport all those years ago, and for continuously advising and consulting their successors, all in the name of growing this beautiful sport.
“On behalf of the Board, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the loved ones of Mr Ngcaba, as well as everyone who was connected to the gentleman and his work. May his soul rest in peace.”