- Soccer icon Pele dies at the age of 82.
- Gauteng to honour those who died in the Boksburg blast.
- Family and friends mourn the loss of Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo.
Brazilian football legend Pele dead at 82 – News24
Pele, widely recognised as the greatest player of all time and a three-time World Cup champion, passed away Thursday at 82, according to his family. “Everything we are is thanks to you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace,” said his daughter Kely Nascimento.
Before his retirement in 1977, Pele scored over 1000 goals during one of the most legendary careers in sports history. His health had deteriorated as he struggled with kidney disease and colon cancer, undergoing surgery in September 2021, followed by chemotherapy, News24 reports. Read more here
Gauteng government to host memorial service for Boksburg blast victims – eNCA
The Gauteng government will honour those who died in the blast in Boksburg. On Friday, the province will co-host a memorial ceremony with the City of Ekurhuleni. This comes after a gas tanker exploded in Boksburg on Christmas Day, killing 27 people. Read more here
‘He was only sick for a short while’ — Mampintsha’s father pays tribute to his son – TimesLIVE
TI Maphumulo, the father of Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo, was visibly distraught as he stood before mourners on Thursday to bid farewell to his only son, TimesLIVE reports. The 40-year-old passed away over the weekend at a Durban hospital. After suffering from a stroke, he was admitted to King Edward Hospital for treatment. “I’m here to say until now its sad how he died. It didn’t make anyone at ease, and that stress still hits me today. He was only sick for a short while and after that he died,” said TI Maphumulo. Read more here
Here are the top trending stories of the day.
Headline: Two-and-a-half minutes of hate: CCTV shows shocking ‘racist’ attack as Free State men assault teens – News24 (for subscribers)
Headline: Convict who escaped from Bloemfontein hospital rearrested as he tries to catch a lift – TimesLIVE
Headline: Vivienne Westwood, Influential Fashion Maverick, Dies At 81 – Huffington Post
Headline: Lions down WP to defend crown as One-Day Cup champions – News24
Headline: Nick Cannon Now Has A Dozen Kids After Welcoming 12th Child – Huffington Post
Weather: Friday’s weather: Cloudy with thunderstorms over some parts of SA – News24
Image credit: Getty Images
