The family of the late veteran sports commentator Dumile Mateza believes that the fire that engulfed Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital last year contributed to his challenges with cancer.
Mateza, who launched his career in the 1980s at the SABC, died on Tuesday at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital from colon cancer. He was 62.
His cousin Luyolo Mateza said Mateza was diagnosed late last year and was one of many cancer patients whose treatment was affected by the fire at Charlotte Maxeke in April. The blaze led to the closure of the oncology unit. At the time Mateza had been waiting for his cancer results.
“He did tests at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital before the fire. He ended up going to a clinic for pain management and ended up testing again at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, which confirmed that he had cancer and that it had already spread,” said Luyolo.
Mateza's friend and former colleague Mandisa Titi said the family believes he may have had more time to live if it was not for the fire disruption.
“It is the belief of the family that his life could have been elongated if he was diagnosed earlier. We are not God and we are not saying he would not have died, we are saying he may have lived a bit longer,” she said.
Titi said after his diagnosis towards the end of the year did not deem him a good candidate for treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation because the cancer had already spread.
“He went to other private doctors and by the time they referred him to Chris Hani Baragwanath for testing it was too late,” she said.
After his diagnosis Mateza became critical and was hospitalised in January at Baragwanath. He also caught Covid-19 at the hospital but recovered from it.
“He was no longer eating well. He was no longer the same [bubbly personality],” said Luyolo.
His family said in a statement that Mateza will be remembered for his impact on sports broadcasting in SA.
“His passing brings an end to a remarkable career in sports, news actuality and magazine broadcasting. Dumile will be sorely missed by his wife, children and extended family.
“The Mateza family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to all who carried them during the time Dumile was fighting for his life. When a loved one passes on, we are never prepared for the pain and grief.”
Mateza was born in Kareedouw, 120km west of Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape. He leaves behind a wife and two children.
“He was a big brother to us. He played a supportive role and was a very amicable person. He did not enjoy confrontation at all,” Luyolo said.
“He loved sharing history, especially sporting history and Eastern Cape history. He would always talk about why things are the way they are in that province.”
Funeral and memorial arrangements will be announced later.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.