OUR HEROES

Ntate Mohasoa, born in 1939 in Brakpan, East Rand, is popularly known as Bra Sweetie in Atteridgeville. Like many of his contemporaries, such as Super Fanyana Shongwe, Mighty Maite, Cheng Phahlane, he was a versatile sportsman who actively and passionately participated in more than two sporting codes during his prime age in the Pretoria townships of Bantule, Marabastad and Atteridgeville.  The diminutive Bra Sweetie, was a brilliant sprinter, footballer at inside left, boxer and tennis player. Later in his older days, he changed to playing golf, training boxers, judging in boxing and football management.

As a youngster at Methodist Primary School in Marabastad, he took active part in soccer and was a brilliant player at number 10.  He was also a crack sprinter in athletics and ran in the then 100 and 220 yards. After school at home in Bantule, he was involved in boxing. He continued with his amateur sporting career at Hofmeyr High School, in Atteridgeville, where again, he excelled in boxing as a featherweight, and in soccer with the likes of Moses Moeng and in tennis with the likes of Monk Motsepe. At one stage he had his own soccer club named Swallows which had star players like Dick Phiri, Nipper Monedi and Tuna Maifadi. At club level, he played for the then Bantu Callies where he played an important role in exciting matches against other brilliant opponents like Skipper Moeng and Bajane Rabi of Home Stars and against other clubs. One memorable match he would never forget, was playing against Steve “Kalamazoo” Mokone, during his last match at Marabastad before Kalamazoo went to play in Holland.

One amazing sporting feat about him, was when he was roped in to replace an injured regular goalkeeper, even though he was a striker in the junior division, to play in the Senior Division Great North Football Tournament of 1946/47.  They won that tournament trophy in a team which included soccer giants of Shongwe brothers Super and Boyce, Allie Tshauke, Bob Sehume, Atter Baloyi, Zonk Pitsi and Jack Mawela. He was also later picked to represent Atteridgeville Football Association.

Bra Sweetie was later involved in boxing as a trainer at Mbolekwa Stadium, Atteridgeville. Some of his protégés include Tim Mathopa and Jackson Diphofa. He also became a boxing referee and judge. He moved on into administration as the Secretary of the Atteridgeville Boxing Association.  He also qualified as a football coach after attending a football coaching clinic conducted by a visiting Professor Mazey from Brazil.

Another of several sports portfolios he held was as Chairman of the then Bantu Callies Football Club. It was during his time that the club’s derogatory name was changed to Pretoria Callies when the club also attained the professional status. Pretoria Callies lived up to its status and soon became affectionately known as the “Pretoria Giant Killers” nationwide. As a top professional side, it boasted national heroes such as Lucas “Masterpiece” Moripe, Potjo “Let them Dance” Molala, Louis Kiewiet and George “Best” Kgobe.  He has also served as the Secretary of the then Pretoria Bantu Football Association. One of his contributions to sports was his participation in the structures that facilitated the building of the Super Stadium which was later renamed after Lucas “Masterpiece” Moripe.