Goolam Rajah, one of the legendary figures of the post-unity period of South African cricket, passed away on Tuesday morning, Cricket South Africa (CSA) said. He had been in failing health for some time.
Rajah was 74 years old.
Goolie, as he was known by everybody who had anything to do with South African cricket and particularly the Proteas, served first as team manager and then logistics manager of the national men’s cricket team for close on two decades.
CSA has learned with great sadness of the passing of Goolam Rajah, one of the legendary figures of the post-unity period of South African cricket, this morning.
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) June 29, 2021
RIP Goolie… ?? pic.twitter.com/EiqQ3UQzfJ
At the time of unity, he served on the inaugural Gauteng Cricket Board and was also a senior provincial selector and was co-opted on to the Transvaal Cricket Board executive at the time of the unity negotiations.
Incredibly saddened by the news of the passing of Goolam Rajah. There are no words to describe what he meant to me in my life. I will miss you Gools, everyone who knew you will miss you. The world is poorer with you not here. Thoughts and prayers with the entire fam ???? pic.twitter.com/XM4nDhsIvY
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) June 29, 2021
To the Proteas he was much more than part of the management team. He was a friend, confidant and adviser. In total, 107 players represented the Proteas during his time in more than 600 matches across the three formats. They will all remember him with great fondness and gratitude.
Today the world says goodbye to a legend.
— Yusuf Omar ???? (@YusufOmarSA) June 29, 2021
Goolam Rajah was our closest family friend.
We drove behind his cricket tour bus in the UK and Aus.
I once interviewed Uncle Goolam and asked if he regretted a lifetime on the road. He said this… pic.twitter.com/A4OFcIDWhe
He personally considered his greatest achievement to be invited by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to manage the World XI against Australia, the No 1 team in the world at the time, in a one-off test match.
Sad news hearing of the passing of Goolam Rajah. What a good man we have lost. Thoughts and prayers to family. RIP my pal
— Jacques Kallis (@jacqueskallis75) June 29, 2021
“It is a very sad day for the South African Cricket Family,” commented CSA Acting Chief Executive Pholetsi Moseki. “Goolam was a very special human being who has touched so many lives in a positive way in the 30 years we have enjoyed being a democratic cricket organisation.
I will now have to delete #GoolamRajah's telephone number off my phone. SA cricket is much poorer now that he is gone. When players were treated unfairly, he was there to comfort and reassure you of your abilities. He was humble, loved and a Giant of his time!#RIPLegend ?????? pic.twitter.com/vTxXDsGiJb
— Alviro Petersen (@AlviroPetersen) June 29, 2021
“We all have our special memories of him which we will treasure. He was truly a man who gave a great deal to the game of cricket and to everybody involved in it.
Truly sad to hear of the passing of Goolam Rajah- a friend and legendary team manager of the Proteas. He was an integral part of my cricketing journey, always professional and treated us as family. Thoughts are with Poppy and family. pic.twitter.com/oDghH5V2HD
— Shaun Pollock (@7polly7) June 29, 2021
“I extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Shaheda, popularly known to us all as Poppy, his children, Mohammed Faeez and Zuraida, his extended family, his friends and colleagues both in the game of cricket and in the wider society,” he concluded.
Oh no... that is terrible news. Goolam Rajah was a champion guy and so passionate about his long serving work with the South African team and beyond. ?? https://t.co/nRvwsuzQ4F
— Mike Haysman (@MikeHaysman) June 29, 2021
Lawson Naidoo paid tribute on behalf of the CSA Board. “One can never have a successful team without a good administration behind them. Goolam played a major role in making sure that they were not side-tracked by off-the-field issues. During his tenure the Proteas enjoyed significant success, winning the ICC knockout trophy (the precursor to the Champions Trophy) and the Commonwealth Games Gold Medal in 1998, achieving their best World Cup result with a tied semifinal against Australia in 1999, winning a test series in England in 2008 and a first ever test series win in Australia later the same year. These achievements speak for themselves.
Farewell former Proteas Manager Goolam Rajah. A lovely man who was magnificent at his job. He once asked me to “look after” some players on a Kolkata-Mumbai-Johannesburg trip & I found it utterly overwhelming.
— Derek Alberts (@derekalberts1) June 29, 2021
He looked after them for 20 years, doing so with distinction.
RIP
“He was a humble man and true servant of the game.”
I am saddened to hear of the passing of Goolam Rajah.A mentor,leader & friend.He was loved by all,not only for his love for the game,but also for his kindness & great sense of humour.He’ll be remembered as a giant in cricket,a respected stalwart in the fight for non-racial sport. pic.twitter.com/sJA2vstQVd
— Vincent Barnes (@VincentBarnes60) June 29, 2021
Graeme Smith paid tribute on behalf of the players. “Goolam was a true father figure who looked after the players like his own. He took care of everything with such detail that the players were able to focus totally on the cricket and that was why his tenure was so successful. The players were particularly appreciative of the way he looked after their wives and partners on away tours. We will indeed be fortunate to see his like again.”
Saddened to read of the passing of Goolam Rajah. Such an affable, friendly person and never forgot to wear his smile. Good man in a good era of South African cricket
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 29, 2021
CSA President Rihan Richards spoke on behalf of the Members’ Council. “His service to the game was legendary and exemplary. He was a role model for all to follow although almost impossible to emulate. We thank him and pay tribute to his family who had to manage without having him at home for long periods of time.”
I am so sad to hear that Goolam Rajah has passed away, after a mighty battle with Covid. I worked with him for many years & every day benefitted from a kind word, a positive thought or a friendly smile from “Googly”. He will be sorely missed. Condolences to his lovely family ????
— Ros Goldin (@RosG101) June 29, 2021
The Proteas players will wear black armbands for their T20 International match this evening as a gesture of respect. There will also be a minute’s silence before the start of play.
This is truly sad news. Coaches and players came and went, travelling press corps changed but Goolam Rajah was a permanent fixture. Lovely man with a wealth of experience. https://t.co/dZmL0dOnB9
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) June 29, 2021
SuperSport will be running a tribute before the start of tonight’s match.