JOHANNESBURG — For many South Africans, Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba should be enjoying retirement after decades spent developing players and coaching national teams.
Instead, the former Bafana Bafana coach is bedridden, battling prostate cancer and tuberculosis (TB) while his family appeals for help to secure better care and relieve his pain.
Speaking on Sports Night Amplified with Andile Ncube (SNAWA — listen to the full interview) om Metro FM on Friday, Mashaba’s twins, Jabu and Nonhlanhla Mashaba, revealed that their father no longer has medical aid and now relies on public healthcare facilities as his condition worsens.
‘Dad is not doing well at all’
Fighting back tears, Nonhlanhla described a difficult period for the family.
“Dad is not doing well at all. He’s been sick for quite some time, but now it’s just very bad. He’s not doing well. He’s even bedridden as we speak.”
She said years away from football and coaching forced him to give up several benefits, including medical aid cover.
“He’s very sick. He’s not even getting the proper care that he needs. He’s dealing a lot with public healthcare and it’s not the best,” she said.
Jabu explained that his father’s health challenges began almost two years ago with bladder failure, which eventually required a catheter.
Towards the end of last year, doctors diagnosed Mashaba with TB after he developed a persistent cough.
The family learnt two weeks ago that he also had prostate cancer.
They are still waiting for scans to determine how advanced the disease may be.
“Even now he says to me, ‘What if I could just get an hour without pain? That would be fine,'” Jabu said.
Years without work and mounting financial pressure
During the interview, Andile Ncube noted that many people would expect a former national coach to be spending his retirement comfortably.
Jabu explained that his father has not earned a regular income for several years.
In 2016, the South African Football Association (SAFA) terminated Mashaba’s tenure as national coach, citing gross misconduct, insubordination, and violation of communications policies stemming from a public altercation with SAFA President Danny Jordan.
Since his dismissal, Mashaba has subsisted on his settlement and pension.
“He hasn’t had an income for a long time,” Jabu said. “Medical aid is expensive and eventually it strained him.”
The twins said they have paid many of their father’s medical and daily expenses from their own pockets while placing parts of their businesses on hold to care for him.
Nonhlanhla said another challenge has emerged.
Mashaba is reportedly unable to access a portion of his pension held by one of the banks, creating fears that he could eventually lose his home.
The family said his wife is also facing health challenges, while both siblings have dedicated much of their time to caring for their parents.
Calls grow for support
The interview prompted messages of support from football followers and members of the public.
One person who said they met Mashaba at a public hospital wrote:
“Yeah I saw him at one of the public hospitals and we spoke and laughed about football and he also thought I was one of the guys he once coached. It was so touching for him to be in that situation. Whole former Bafana Bafana coach.”
Another supporter called for a fundraising drive.
“Please start some crowd funding. I will donate as I believe many other SA will.”
“This is a national disgrace that a former national soccer player, former national coach should find himself in such situations. Once celebrated nationally, now desperate with no immediate prospect for help.”
Asked what assistance would make the biggest difference, Nonhlanhla said access to private healthcare could improve her father’s condition and comfort.
“If dad could get proper care from a private hospital, I feel like a lot could change for the better.”
Jabu agreed.
“Anything that could assist in reducing the pain would help. If you feel you want to do something medically, do anything, you are welcomed.”
The messages formed part of a broader discussion on X (formerly Twitter) following excerpts from the interview shared online, with dozens of supporters calling for assistance and reflecting on Mashaba’s contribution to South African football.
Readers can view this particular discussion thread on X.
People wishing to assist can send a message to Nonhlanhla Mashaba via Instagram at @Nhlekes_m.
Related coverage
Explore why Rassie Erasmus is being hailed as a symbol of social cohesion,
