One of South Africa’s most popular sporting icons, Makhaya Ntini, celebrated his illustrious career at a tribute gala dinner at Emperors Palace on Monday night. The evening was dedicated to the “Mdingi Express” after his superb achievement of 100 Test matches for South Africa, with hundreds of guests, ranging from teammates and coaches to administrators, sponsors and avid fans,turning up to pay tribute to one of the most jovial characters in the game.

 

Border Amateur coach, Raymond Booi, discovered Ntini in the rural Eastern Cape town of Mdingi. Eighteen years on, Booi  is full of praise for Ntini, and in awe of the cricketer and person that he has developed into.

 

“When I found Makhaya way back in 1992, a young boy with not much of a future ahead, I did not think that 18 years later he would have played more than 100 Test Matches for South Africa. He is an extremely hard worker, very disciplined and fit, there is still plenty of cricket in him. I only wish him the best, he just wants to play cricket and will give it his all until he bowls his last ball.,” said Booi.

 

Proteas assistant coach, Vincent Barnes was equally full of admiration for Ntini, who has been like a family-member over the years: “I got involved with Makhaya about seven years ago for the first time and it has been an absolute pleasure watching him grow, not only as a cricketer but as a person as well. We are very close, he would often come to me for advice, not just about cricket but also about his personal life. He has been a great ambassador and inspiration to so many people in our country across all races and generations, even to myself. His career has had its ups and downs but he has never let those adversities get him down, that is why he has 101 Test matches to show for it,” said Barnes.

 

Former Proteas captain and opening partner, Shaun Pollock, hailed Ntini for the magnificent feat of playing 101 Test matches for the Proteas. Pollock played 108 Test matches for South Africa with 421 wickets, and believes that Ntini’s excellent accomplishments and impact will never be fully realised.

 

“Playing 100 tests for one’s country does not happen to many players and it is a huge feather in Makhaya’s cap. He has made a great impact on South African cricket, probably bigger than we can imagine, and has served his country well. He is a fantastic role model to young cricketers and lots of credit must go to him for the way that he has conducted himself on and off the field over the years,” said Pollock.