Legendary former South African footballer Jomo Sono has reflected on the recent honour of being inducted into the SA Hall of Fame alongside six other yesteryear stars.
Sono, celebrated for his illustrious career and immense contribution to SA football, was honoured alongside Kaizer Chiefs legends Teenage Dladla, Lucas Radebe, Ace Ntsoelengoe, and Neil Tovey. Former Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba and Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis were also recognised.
The South African Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held at Montecasino in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 20 November 2024.
“It’s incredibly touching to receive this recognition while I’m still alive to appreciate it,” an emotional Sono told FARPost. “In South Africa, we often wait until someone passes away to honour them. I believe this is a fantastic step forward for sportspeople. Typically, these honours go to administrators. This time, it’s the former players who are being celebrated.”
The founder of Jomo Cosmos admitted to being moved to tears upon hearing the news of his induction. “I’m still here,” he said, emphasising the significance of being recognised during his lifetime.
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Sono explained that the emotional weight of the moment was heightened by the absence of his late friend and fellow legend, Ace Ntsoelengoe. Ntsoelengoe, whose two daughters attended the ceremony on his behalf, had previously been honoured in the United States.
Sono and Ntsoelengoe, the iconic Kaizer Chiefs star who passed away in May 2006, shared a bond forged during their time together in the US. They were both part of the South African All Stars team that faced Argentina in the 1970s.
“I was emotionally touched when I saw them honour him [Ace Ntsoelengoe]. Here [in SA], they try to suppress players; it’s usually officials [who are honoured]. When I saw he’s going to be honoured, I was very happy. He’s one of the pioneers of football in South Africa. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in America.”
Sono recalls how they broke barriers when they shared a dressing room with white players back in the day. In America, he said, they had the opportunity to settle into a different lifestyle. Yet, they chose to return home, driven by a desire to fight apartheid using football.
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