President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday paid tribute to Highlanders president Ndumiso Gumede, who died on Wednesday afternoon after a short illness.
Gumede (76) died at Mpilo Central Hospital’s intensive care unit, after complaining of a stomach ache.
In a statement, Mnangagwa said he respected Gumede for his professionalism in the game.
“Always genial and full of jokes, the late Gumede ensured integrity and professionalism in a game which is often mired in controversies of corrupt match-fixing and related ills. Those of us wedded to the game will miss him, keenly feeling the yawning gap he leaves behind,” he said in a statement.
The President said Highlanders is where it is as an institution because of Gumede.
“As its chairman and president, Highlanders Football Club scaled to higher heights, transforming into a household name it is to this day. Above all, his strong African roots turned professional sporting into a cultural carnival for which football fans will miss him sorely,” he added.
