The South African Hall of Fame induction ceremony, held at Montecasino on Wednesday, 20 November 2024, was a momentous occasion for Kaizer Chiefs legends.
The event recognised the outstanding contributions and achievements of seven sports icons, including four Amakhosi legends.
The late Patrick ‘Ace’ Ntsoelengoe, Nelson ‘Teenage’ Dladla, Niel Tovey, and Lucas Radebe were inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining an elite group of South African sports heroes.
The other inductees included Dr. Jomo Sono, Banyana Banyana coach, Dr. Desiree Ellis, and former Bafana Bafana coach, Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba.
The evening was enhanced by the presence of the inductees’ families, friends, former teammates, and football administrators.
The late Ace Ntsoelengoe’s daughters, Ofentse and Boipelo, represented him, and Ofentse acknowledged the recognition on behalf of their father.
“His legacy extends beyond his impressive stats and accolades; he touched hearts, mentored minds, and shaped futures,” she said.
Ntsoelengoe had a decorated career at Kaizer Chiefs for almost two decades, becoming the Club’s all-time top goal scorer with 250 goals.
Teenage Dladla, who made the jersey number 11 famous, expressed his gratitude to Kaizer Chiefs Chairman, Dr. Kaizer Motaung, for bringing him to the Club. “If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have reached the heights I did,” Dladla said.
His remarkable career at Kaizer Chiefs spanned over a decade, with his hat-trick against Durban City in 1979 securing the Club’s third league title, and first in the multiracial era.Dladla’s time at Kaizer Chiefs was marked by incredible success, including 29 trophies won between 1980 and 1989.
He reflected on his first moments at the club, sharing that the players supported him despite the death of founding member, Ewert Nene, who was killed because he wanted to bring Dladla to Amakhosi.
“When I arrived, the players didn’t reject me because Ewert Nene died; instead, they told me that Bra E saw something in me and to go out there and show us what he saw.”
