From the heart of rural KwaZulu-Natal, a humble yet visionary leader rose a man whose mission was never to seek the spotlight, but to shine it on others. Dr. Themba Vusimuzi Mkhize, affectionately known as “TV,”” Mphathi “,“Khabazela,” and “Gcwabe kaZihlandlo,”

Raised in a context that demanded resilience, Dr. Mkhize built his foundation on humility, hard work, and purpose. These values followed him throughout his life as teacher, principal, coach, administrator, and leader. Even in his early days, his actions reflected an unshakable commitment to the upliftment of young people, especially those from under-resourced communities.

In 1997, following a major school competition win in Johannesburg, TV joined hands with the late Mr. KE Gamede to formally establish the Ziphozonke Netball Club, building upon the legacy of Ziphozonke High School where he served as principal. What began as a grassroots school team quickly became a powerhouse of talent, excellence, and discipline. Ziphozonke didn’t just win trophies it produced stars, coaches, and officials who would go on to serve nationally and internationally.

By 1998, the club was affiliated with Zululand Netball, winning the B League, and just a year later, clinching the A League title. With each passing season, Ziphozonke proved to be a dominant force in provincial and national tournaments, registering both male and female teams and expanding its reach. Driven by TV’s leadership, the club became a blueprint for inclusive and values-based sports development in South Africa.

Among its most celebrated players is Sindisiwe Gumede of eNseleni, who rose to become the Top Shooter at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2005, and shone in numerous COSANA Games. The club also nurtured a string of national male players, coaches and umpires, many of whom went on to represent and lead in elite competitions.

Mphathi was a leader whose legacy was never confined to a single field of play. As President and later Vice President of KZN Netball, and as Vice President and later an Executive Member of the KZN Sport Confederation, he left an indelible mark on governance, transformation, and accountability. He understood systems and used them not to entrench power, but to unlock potential. Under his watch, KZN became a national leader in netball innovation, inclusion, and performance.

A key highlight of his visionary leadership was the restructuring of the KWANALOGA Games (now SALGA Games) into a truly developmental platform. By introducing Under-20 restrictions, he ensured broader participation and real opportunities for youth development. Similarly, in 2010, his bold step to incorporate male players into formal league structures gave birth to the KZN Netball Super League, which now hosts over 50 clubs and has produced national and international talent across genders.

But beyond titles and tournaments, Mphathi ’s greatness lay in his heart. He believed that no athlete should ever be hungry or hopeless. Many have shared how he quietly paid for transport, meals, or tuition; how he extended mentorship beyond court time; how he would spot a spark of talent and nurture it until it caught fire. His legacy lives in those silent sacrifices acts of care that changed destinies without fanfare.

Dr TV Mkhize was not one for loud gestures. He never needed to raise his voice to command respect. His was a style of servant leadership marked by quiet strength, consistency, and clarity. Whether on the bench or at a boardroom table, he embodied respect, both given and received. He was always immaculate in dress, dignified in speech, and intentional in every decision. His presence instilled confidence in players, colleagues, and administrators alike.

He was a true custodian of sport governance and integrity, deeply familiar with the Constitution, policies, and processes of Netball Structures. His contributions as a long-standing Council member were valued across provinces, with many viewing him as a moral compass and knowledge bearer always principled, always purposeful.

No great leader stands alone, and Dr. Mkhize never failed to acknowledge the rock upon which his journey stood: his family. His beloved wife, uXabhashe, and his children walked the path with him, sacrificing much so that he could give himself fully to the mission of developing netball in South Africa. To them, the netball fraternity owes not just gratitude, but deep reverence. Your love enabled him to build generations.

The greatness of Dr. Mkhize lies not only in the structures he built or the victories he achieved but in the lives he touched, the barriers he broke, and the dignity he restored to countless black children, especially those born into circumstances designed to limit them. He was a liberator not in slogans, but in action. His impact will not be measured only in medals or titles, but in the character, confidence, and contribution of those he raised.

From rural courts to national councils, Dr. Mkhize made sport a tool of justice, a language of unity, and a pathway to greatness. The club he co-founded, the leagues he shaped, and the systems he influenced all remain living monuments to his legacy.

Today, we bid farewell to a man who was not only a builder of teams but a builder of a nation. Our grief is deep, but our gratitude is deeper. Dr. Themba Vusimuzi Mkhize leaves behind a legacy that transcends netball a legacy of selfless service, of humility in leadership, of belief in every child’s potential.

Let us honour him not only with our words, but with our continued work. Let us teach as he taught. Let us lead as he led. Let us serve as he served with excellence, humility, and heart.

Hamba Kahle, Gcwabe! Wena Kazihlandlo! Wena Kakhabazela Kamavovo! Mumbo Omhlophe Okhany’ Amasi Esiswini!

Your legacy glows not just in the records, but in the hearts, dreams, and futures you helped shape.

May your soul rest in eternal peace.