Jerry Sadike, a former winger for Amakhosi, has received praise from Kaizer Chiefs Chairman Kaizer Motaung for his role in “changing the political landscape of the country.”
Last Monday, the striker’s family revealed his passing, which Motaung referred to as “a really painful moment for the family and for all those who knew Jerry Sadike.”
Sadike, who had previously played for Pimville United Brothers, participated in and scored in Chiefs’ inaugural league game against African Wanderers on March 16, 1971, helping the team to a 10-1 victory.
How tragic for our society. Jerry was a gentleman who avoided conflict and spoke softly, but who demonstrated his character on the field of play.
He contributed so much to the teams he played for. We at Chiefs were fortunate to experience his contribution.
He played for other clubs as well as Pirates, but no matter where he went—whether to Chiefs, Pirates, or any other club, including Highlands Park—his behaviour was always the same.
He was one of those individuals that didn’t say much, but you can tell a lot about someone by their behaviour.
He was a really gentle and modest man who never got into the news for the wrong reasons.
He was a fantastic human being, thus this is truly a loss for all of humanity.
He set an example for all the children that came after him and for his contemporaries.
Sadike played a key role in the star-studded Kaizer Chiefs squad that captured the club’s first league championship in 1974.
One of his most memorable performances took place at Orlando Stadium on November 16, 1974, when his brace and a goal from Patrick ‘Ace’ Ntsoelengoe gave the Amakhosi a 3-0 Soweto Derby victory over Orlando Pirates in the season’s final game.
This victory sealed the Chiefs’ first-ever National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) championship.
In addition to playing for both Soweto juggernauts, Sadike also made history as the first player of colour to play for Highlands Park in the National Professional Soccer League and for Swaraj in the Federation Professional League (FPL).
As a result of his decision to play for a “white” side during the height of apartheid, some have criticised him as a “sellout,” but Motaung claims they were wrong.
“People overlook our football past.
Over time, football had a big impact on how the political climate of the nation changed.
We were obviously constrained by the apartheid regime, but some of us still managed to recruit white players for the NPSL from the National Football League.
That was a step away from racism.
His decision to sign with Highlands Park was likewise a move that was made as part of a plan to normalise this nation.
Those who thought he was a sellout are viewing him from the incorrect perspective.
He actually demonstrated to the nation that it is possible to play for a white team despite the existence of segregation laws, which was part of the overall objective of normalising the nation, according to Motaung.
Sadike was one among the several outstanding players on that 1974 team, which also featured Patrick ‘Ace’ Ntsoelengoe, Herman ‘Pele’ Blashcke, Michael ‘Bizzah’ Dlamini, Abednigo ‘Shaka’ Ngcobo, Vusi ‘Computer’ Lamola, Kaizer ‘Chincha Guluva’ Motaung, and Johannes ‘Big Boy’ Kholoane. Sadike
“This is one athlete that was very consistent in terms of performance, if you talk about consistency in players.
He either made plays for his teammates or scored goals himself.
He didn’t get a yellow card, as far as I can recall. He never participated in a tackle that put the bodies of other players in danger.
He was such a pure player, never getting involved in pointless altercations or aggressive handling.
Most significantly, both on and off the field, Jerry was extremely humble.
He was always exceptional in terms of how one should conduct themselves in public and was a living example off the field, according to Motaung.
Sadike leaves behind “a legacy of good sportsmanship and a love for the game,” according to the Kaizer Chiefs Chairman.
“This was the game of his life, and he gave it everything he had.
I would like to take this opportunity to truly offer the family my condolences and all of my support.
We should all be grateful to God for allowing him to be a part of our life stories.
The Chairman said, “May he rest in peace.
Sadike was a pathfinder who contributed to the normalisation of our nation, according to Motaung, who first featured on Kaizer Chiefs.