Living in a vibey neighbourhood surrounded by inspirational giants helped fuel a burning desire among many New Brighton residents to reach for the stars and rise to the summit in sporting, artistic and academic fields.
So says former Springbok Thando Manana, who grew up in the historic township before making his name on the rugby field, where he wore the coveted green and gold jersey.
His view is shared by another prominent former New Brighton resident, Gerald Majola, who is at the forefront of a group who want to restore the township to its former glory as it celebrates its 120th anniversary.
Majola and Manana, apart from achieving sporting excellence on the field, rose to great heights in administrative roles.
In the opening chapter of his book Being a Black Springbok, Manana writes: “I was not born rich, but I was born in a place rich in history.
“New Brighton, the place I call home, was the birthplace of many influential figures in the past in all spheres of SA society.
“Walking through its streets you inherit this history, this sense of great achievement and endeavour.
“You breathe it in the air.”
A fine cricket and rugby player, Majola is a former chief executive of Cricket SA, while Manana has a top post at the Blue Bulls rugby franchise.
The names of former New Brighton sporting icons roll off the tongues of Manana and Majola, who can recall the street names and houses where the players and celebrities of yesteryear resided.
Majola’s father, Eric, was a double Springbok in cricket and rugby and played a massive role in lighting the fuse that would pave the way for Majola to carve out his own identity in the sports world.
Famous rugby players hailing from New Brighton include Eric, Manana, Mzwandile Stick (current assistant Springbok coach), Solly Tyibilika, Temba Ludwaba, Peter Makata, Toto Tsotsobe (whose son Lonwabo played cricket for SA and his daughter Nomsebenzi captained the Springbok women’s team), and Mbulelo Matomela.
Other Springbok rugby greats were Bomza Nkohla, Wallace Xotyeni, Lilee Jonas, Fanie Headbush, Skhumbuzo Oliphant (Eric Majola’s younger brother), Phindile Mdodana (father of Zanele, former Proteas netball captain), Dayi Makonenyana, Lucky Mange, Jumbo Neer, Baba Jali, Mvelo Singaphi, Thembile Sizani, Norman Ntshinga, Coke Gwaxula, Ambrose Magwaxaza, Wilfred Khovu, Cyril Twaku, Libaleng Cwethe, the Rula brothers Wanda and Ngxila, Dumile Kondile, Robert Maduba and Winty Pandle.
Outstanding New Brighton cricket players include Eric, Gerald and Khaya Majola, Thembisile Pono, Thoba Williams, Thomas Mavata, Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Lulama Mazikazana.
While Manana and Majola made their names in sporting circles, other sons and daughters of New Brighton have excelled in the arts, public and academic life.
“When I grew up under apartheid there were certain titles given to a few individuals like teachers and they were regarded as important professionals and that was because of apartheid,” Manana said.
“Then you also had nurses and teachers.
“If you were a doctor that was huge.
“There were people who wanted to be middle class despite conditions and they wanted a better future for their families.
“New Brighton saw itself as a better location than Kwazakhele, Zwide and surrounds.
“If you were staying in New Brighton you were seen to be someone who is a hard worker, who has a profession, and is making it in life.
“Some of the first kids to go to Model C schools all hailed from New Brighton because parents could afford it.
“You also had the nearby area of Kwaford, whose residents had similar aspirations.
“Spring Rose in terms of rugby clubs is the shining light because of the history.
“Spring Rose and United Cricket Club were seen to be clubs that hailed from New Brighton.
“United played at the Dan Qeqe stadium and they moved there because of the facilities that had been upgraded.
“When I turned out for Spring Rose, they played at Pendla Primary and Phillip Nikiwe Higher Primary schools, which had nice fields.
“Spring Rose then moved to another field in Kwaford.
“ Spring Rose are now playing back at the New Brighton Oval.
“As a club they have had their ups and downs.
“When they played well they went to national club champs and represented EP well.
“At that stage they had outstanding players like Mzwandile Stick and Solly Tyibilika.
“I moved from Spring Rose to Crusaders Technikon and Harlequins, and that was where I was seen.
“So like all clubs, Spring Rose have had good and bad times.”
Majola said sport had been a huge part of his life thanks to his parents’ influence.
“United Cricket Club was formed between two clubs called New Brighton Cricket Club and Fort Beaufort Cricket Club in 1976,” he said.
“My father, Eric, was double Springbok and played cricket and rugby for SA.”
Eric was born in 1930 and lived all his life in New Brighton, except for two years studying for a teacher’s diploma at Healdtown College, near Fort Beaufort, in 1950 and 1951.
Majola started playing schools cricket at Newell High School.
In 1952 at Healdtown College, he earned provincial colours. After college Majola joined the New Brighton Cricket Club.
Between 1953 and 1962, he was at the height of his career, playing for EP and the national African team in both cricket and rugby.
Besides his impressive league statistics, there were soon indications of talent on the broader stage.
Majola took seven for 27 and scored 92 when Gqeberha trounced Makhanda in one inter-town sub-union match.
In the same season, he scored 107 playing for the EP Bantu Cricket Union against the EP Coloured Cricket league. His bowling figures were five for 48.
Majola appears to have played in most of the 1950s tournaments, held in Kimberley (1950), Cape Town (1952), Durban (1954), Gqeberha (1956) and Johannesburg (1958).
In January 1954, African Sports declared Majola the best all-rounder in “Bantu cricket” at the time.
Though Eric received acclaim as a cricketer, he is also regarded as a legend in SA rugby.
“I played for the SA Cricket Board team under Sacos and provincial rugby for Kwaru and for Tygerberg when I was studying in Cape Town,” Gerald Majola said.
“I think it was the environment that that we grew up in that drove us towards success in our chosen fields.
“We are launching an organisation called New Brighton Vibes Restoration.
“New Brighton used to be a vibey township and we grew up among giants who we did not want to disappoint.
“In our family we grew up with a father who a double Springbok, so in winter its rugby and in summer its cricket.
“We want to tell people New Brighton was great because now we are getting the wrong headlines.
“Peter Makata was the greatest flyhalf I have seen.
“I was told my father was better than him, but I was too young to remember.
“We should also remember that Peter was a fabulous golfer.
“This striving for excellence was how we were brought up.
“A lot of families were led by teachers and they played an active role in the community and lives of people.
“Clubs were led by teachers and they were active in administration.
“I went into sports administration because of what I learnt from them.
“It was a cultural way of living and when elders spoke you never asked questions.
“You did whatever they told you to do and that was that.
“Things have changed now.”
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