Calls for African-centred football solutions at Ted Dumitru Lecture

Football development expert and long-time student of the late Ted Dumitru, Zipho Dlangalala delivered a powerful keynote address at the inaugural Ted Dumitru Memorial Lecture in Durban on Monday, paying tribute to the legendary coach’s contribution to South African and African football development.

Organised by the QB Ingomuso Foundation, the lecture marked 10 years since Dumitru’s passing on 26 May 2016 and reflected on his enduring football philosophy, particularly his belief in youth development and African football identity.

Speaking before coaches, football administrators, former players and development practitioners, Dlangalala emotionally recalled the final conversation he shared with Dumitru on the day of his death.

“It was a fitting coincidence that on my way to the Coaches Seminar at Johannesburg Stadium on that day of his last breath (26 May 2016), he called me and we discussed some things about the day and a few other matters,” said Dlangalala.

“Uncharacteristic of him and me on the phone, we had a brief call (by our standards), and he was the one who said, ‘let me give you time to prepare yourself for the Seminar you are going to. I may not come but I wish you all the success and that it all goes well.’”

Dlangalala described Dumitru as a coach who deeply respected African people, cultures and indigenous knowledge systems, arguing that African football could only truly flourish through African-centred solutions rather than imported ideas.

“These items made our relationship very deep as he represented a true man. He oozed respect for the indigenous people, their culture, heritage, tradition, belief systems, and more importantly their role in the future of their nation and in the world,” said Dlangalala.

Quoting one of Dumitru’s most cherished beliefs, he added: “The children of any nation are its future. A country, a movement, a person that does not value its youth and children, doesn’t deserve its future.”

Throughout the lecture, Dlangalala repeatedly stressed Dumitru’s conviction that African football talent needed to be nurtured according to African realities and identities, instead of copying systems from elsewhere in the world.

He credited Dumitru for pioneering development structures such as the Chibuku Youth Centre in Soweto, the Sport School of Excellence and various youth football initiatives across the country, many of which produced top-level South African players.

Dlangalala also challenged football authorities in the COSAFA region to invest more seriously in youth football and coaching education, saying Southern Africa had not yet fully realised the immense talent Dumitru identified decades ago.

Closing his address, Dlangalala outlined what he believed would be necessary to preserve Dumitru’s legacy and spirit in African football.

“If there was anything we could do to keep Mnumzane alive, at least his spirit, it would involve, among others: educating youth coaches to coach these immensely talented African players, the African way; creating opportunities for our youth to experience football at the earliest possible age; giving higher level opportunities to those who show higher levels of potential; and giving our young players opportunities to play international matches at their earliest age,” he said.

“The least we can do on his departure and for the South African child, is to believe in the SA talent. Embrace SA talent. Empower SA talent and ultimately celebrate SA talent. Once every child who plays football has a coach who can maximise the child’s potential and allow the child to enjoy the game, Mnumzane may say; all is well.”

Dumitru, who coached clubs including Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, is widely regarded as one of the most influential football minds to have worked in South Africa, winning multiple league titles while championing expressive, youth-focused football rooted in African talent and creativity.