SA mourns the passing of rugby commentator Kaunda Ntunja
Tributes have been pouring in as the news of South African rugby commentator, Kaunda Ntunja's passing sent shockwaves through the sporting fraternity.
The news was confirmed by his sister, Tando Ntunja on social media on Monday morning.
"It is with deep sadness I confirm the passing of our beloved brother Kaunda Ntunja, earlier today in East London, Eastern Cape," she wrote.
"As you can imagine, we are still trying to make sense of this tragic news and we ask for your love, care and discretion as we prepare to lay my big brother to rest."
Ntunja was a household name through his commentary as the anchor on SuperSport's Xhosa commentary team. Many will remember his commentary on Siya Kolisi’s captaincy debut.[NTUNJA FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE PASSING OF KAUNDA NTUNJA] Cc @avee01, @SuperSportTV Email: [email protected] for all media and related queries. pic.twitter.com/g8wKRLQ0uL
— Tando Ntunja (@tandontunja) July 20, 2020
🎙 One of the voices of rugby in South Africa has passed away.
— Sport4U (@SportSA4U) July 20, 2020
😢 RIP Kaunda Ntunja.
pic.twitter.com/O4Q8emJ3Sa
Many social media also remembered his voice when Makazole Mampimpi scored a try against England at the rugby World Cup.
Liqhashu! pic.twitter.com/0PUZ0bnYn7
— Kaunda Ntunja (@kaundantunja) November 2, 2019
SA Rugby president, Mark Alexander said Ntunja had left an indelible mark on the local rugby landscape.
“We will miss seeing his broad smile and hearing his voice at our rugby matches in future – this is a tragic loss, he left us too soon!
“Our thoughts are with the Ntunja family and all of his friends and colleagues for this terrible loss – the South African rugby community is much poorer without Kaunda Ntunja."
It's with sadness that we all have to digest the tragic news of Kaunda Ntunja passing
— ThandoManana (@TandoManana) July 20, 2020
He was friend in & outside RUGBY. We debated famously on Room Dividers & we respected each other as people who knew the game
His family has lost Iqhawe. Indoda enobunganga. Rest Easy Zizi💔😭 pic.twitter.com/bMV7HRPgVF
Just learnt the greater commentator in South Africa is no more
— Siphe'Sihle (@Luigi_SQ) July 20, 2020
RIP Kaunda Ntunja💔
South African Rugby won’t be the same without you pic.twitter.com/FN4UJ6A5SJ
I'm absolutely heartbroken. What an awesome person, now he's gone 💔
— #EndGBV (@ClixWell) July 20, 2020
The news about bhut Kaunda has thrown me off. Hayi bo
— Sine (@Sine_Madolo) July 20, 2020
The news about bhut Kaunda has thrown me off. Hayi bo
— Sine (@Sine_Madolo) July 20, 2020
What words can we offer, when the one who brought them to life so vividly now rests?
— Squinting Quarantino (@whamzam17) July 20, 2020
Completely shattering news this.#RIPKaundaNtunja
I'm hurt. Genuinely wounded by your passing Zizi. @kaundantunja.
— #SbuSpecials (@Sbu_Mjikeliso) July 20, 2020
I can hear you say "Sho Welbeck". Glad I got to do this SA Rugby Mag piece for you bud. pic.twitter.com/wZXXsSC3xj