Grocott's Mail
  • NEWS
    • Courts & Crime
    • Features
    • Politics
    • People
    • Health & Well-being
  • SPORT
    • News
    • Results
    • Sports Diary
    • Club Contacts
    • Columns
    • Sport Galleries
    • Sport Videos
  • OPINION
    • Election Connection
    • Makana Voices
    • Deur ‘n Gekleurde Bril
    • Newtown… Old Eyes
    • Incisive View
    • Your Say
  • ARTSLIFE
    • Cue
    • Makana Sharp!
    • Visual Art
    • Literature
    • Food & Fun
    • Festivals
    • Community Arts
    • Going Places
  • OUR TOWN
    • What’s on
    • Spiritual
    • Emergency & Well-being
    • Safety
    • Civic
    • Municipality
    • Weather
    • Properties
      • Grahamstown Properties
    • Your Town, Our Town
  • OUTSIDE
    • Enviro News
    • Gardening
    • Farming
    • Science
    • Conservation
    • Motoring
    • Pets/Animals
  • ECONOMIX
    • Business News
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Personal Finance
  • EDUCATION
    • Education NEWS
    • Education OUR TOWN
    • Education INFO
  • Covid-19
  • EDITORIAL
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • The largest-ever cohort for GADRA Matric School
  • Eskom Power Alert 1
  • Ukhuphiswano lwenginqgi iSarah Baartman oluxhaswa ngabakwa-SAB
  • A cry, a smile, a dance
  • A high-functioning high school forsaken by the Department of Education
  • If you’re good enough, you’re old enough
  • Beyond just “16 Days” of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
  • Amazwi Museum celebrates African Language week
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Grocott's Mail
  • NEWS
    • Courts & Crime
    • Features
    • Politics
    • People
    • Health & Well-being
  • SPORT
    • News
    • Results
    • Sports Diary
    • Club Contacts
    • Columns
    • Sport Galleries
    • Sport Videos
  • OPINION
    • Election Connection
    • Makana Voices
    • Deur ‘n Gekleurde Bril
    • Newtown… Old Eyes
    • Incisive View
    • Your Say
  • ARTSLIFE
    • Cue
    • Makana Sharp!
    • Visual Art
    • Literature
    • Food & Fun
    • Festivals
    • Community Arts
    • Going Places
  • OUR TOWN
    • What’s on
    • Spiritual
    • Emergency & Well-being
    • Safety
    • Civic
    • Municipality
    • Weather
    • Properties
      • Grahamstown Properties
    • Your Town, Our Town
  • OUTSIDE
    • Enviro News
    • Gardening
    • Farming
    • Science
    • Conservation
    • Motoring
    • Pets/Animals
  • ECONOMIX
    • Business News
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Personal Finance
  • EDUCATION
    • Education NEWS
    • Education OUR TOWN
    • Education INFO
  • Covid-19
  • EDITORIAL
Grocott's Mail
You are at:Home»NEWS»Courts & Crime»Never again: hamba kahle, Jeff Budaza
Courts & Crime

Never again: hamba kahle, Jeff Budaza

Ovayo Milisa NovukelaBy Ovayo Milisa NovukelaJune 1, 2022Updated:June 2, 2022No Comments3 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Emotions run high as Maru Football Club players and members sing for Jeff 'Giant' Baduza at a memorial service on Wednesday. Photo: Ovayo Milisa Novukela

By OVAYO MILISA NOVUKELA

Sorrow and gloom pervaded the memorial service for murdered Parks and Recreation manager, Fundile ‘Jeff’ Budaza, hosted by the Makana Municipality at a packed Joza Indoor Arena on Wednesday.

Budaza was known for his stance against corruption. The way he was gunned down at the gate to his home in Extension 4 at 8 pm on Wednesday, 25 May, bore the hallmarks of a political assassination.

Speaking at the service, a visibly emotional Makana Municipality Executive Mayor Yandiswa Vara said Budaza would “tell you the truth without fear or favour”.

She described Jeff as “very strict but very caring at heart”.

“The way Jeff died, we usually only see in movies. He died because of his willingness to raise a certain problem.”

“This has to never happen again in our beloved town and province,” Vara said.

She lauded Budaza for his workplace contribution and the many roles he occupied in sports in the province. Budaza was the general secretary of the EC Sports Confederation.

Makana Local Municipality Executive Mayor Yandiswa Vara delivers her speech at Budaza’s memorial service. Photo: Ovayo Milisa Novukela

Mourners included family, friends, and several political and sports organisations.

Maru FC management member Siyabonga Dumiso said Budaza was not afraid to make unpopular decisions.

“Jeff cared about his community and football in Makhanda. He was a parent to us. When we had problems, professionally or personally, we would run to him, and he would assist,” Dumiso said.

Maru FC had lost the team’s “engine”, and the players and crew are still reeling in disbelief and shock, Dumiso said. “But they will recover in time.”

Makana Ward 2 Councilor and chairperson of the Corporate Services portfolio, Ramie Xonxa, sings for his fallen colleague. Photo: Ovayo Milisa Novukela  

Close friend Makhaya Ben, better known as ‘Holy’, said he was with Budaza when he took his final breaths.

“We were in denial when we saw him lying on his back, quiet and lifeless. We had hoped Jeff would come back to us as the paramedics tried to save his life,” Ben said.

“My primary concern is the child who saw the events. We need to protect her and take care of her. After the funeral on Friday, everyone will get on with their lives, but the child will hold on to a memory that will last for the rest of her life. More than ever, she needs us now, and we need to be there for her.”

Makhaya ‘Holy’ Ben delivers an emotional tribute to his friend, Jeff Budaza. Photo: Ovayo Milisa Novukela

Speakers on the day included Council Speaker Cllr Mabhuti Matyumza, Ndlambe Council Speaker Cllr Andile Marasi, Director of Public Safety and Community Services Kelello Magkoka, EC Sports Confederation President Mzondeleli Qotoyi, Department of Arts, Sports and Culture senior official Bafundi Makubalo, Samwu representative Siphiwo Kate, Local Football Association chairperson Afika Adam. The service was co-chaired by senior officials Likhaya Ngandi and Vukile Wali.

Budaza’s Funeral will be held at the Joza Indoor Arena at 9 am Friday 3 June.

Makana spokesperson Anele Mjekula said municipal office would be open on the day.  

Previous ArticleHyperlocal democracy in action: Ward 4 committee seeks four more members
Next Article EC Treasury announces ‘intervention’ in Makana
Ovayo Milisa Novukela

Comments are closed.

Tweets by Grocotts
Newsletter



Listen

The Rhodes University Community Engagement Division has launched Engagement in Action, a new podcast which aims to bring to life some of the many ways in which the University interacts with communities around it. Check it out below.

Humans of Makhanda

Humans of Makhanda

Weather    |     About     |     Advertise     |     Subscribe     |     Contact     |     Support Grocott’s Mail

© 2023 Maintained by School of Journalism & Media Studies.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.