"The Birds" Faces of Yesteryear

Added: Tuesday, November 01, 2011 (20:13)

We are proud to introduce this column by presenting to “The Birds” loving people and the football community at large one of those who represented the first ever Moroka Swallows eleven at its first game played in October, 1947 in Masakeng Township (Moroka – Jabavu). He went on to play in every game of the club until 1963 without any injury or being reserved.

Fact file

Full names: Esau Kini Madi
Nick name: "Inch by Inch"
Date of Birth: 1st September, 1926
Place of Birth: Prospect Township (now known as Gazzene) in Johannesburg.
Other Clubs he played for: Germiston Tottenham, Moroka Sweepers and Corrugated Rovers
Duration at Moroka Swallows FC: October, 1947 until retirement at the end of 1963.
Position: Left back
Favourite team mate: Lawrence “ Marintsa” Mbanya
Difficult opposition player to handle: Excellent Mthembu of Avalon Athletics
Honours at Moroka Swallows include:

Club promotion to Saturday League in 1949
Club promotion to Wednesday League in 1950
League Shield in 1952
Robinson Cup in 1953
Wemmer Special Cup in 1955
Transvaal Challenge in 1956
Wemmer Knock Out Cup in 1957.

This is what Inch by Inch had to say:

I am happy to have contributed to the existence and the rich history of Moroka Swallows. I was fortunate to play in a team of very talented players. We were a family and respected one another especially our Captain and Club officials.

That is what made us so enjoy being together – we were like brothers.

My advice to our current players is that they must play their own type of football which they enjoy in order to win games. They must not make things difficult for themselves by trying to imitate others and they must respect themselves and one another. That is what makes a great team.

It is my sincere wish is see Moroka Swallows members and supporters working together in the best interest of the Club. It’s disappointing to hear, see or read about unnecessary squabbles which are embarrassing and demeaning to all of us in the Swallows family.

My plea to the Club is to continue to remember and pay value those who contributed to the establishment, existence and survival of Moroka Swallows football club. Finally I wish to say I am happy with the team’s performance of late and hope for consistency to avoid what we went through last season.

DON’T FOLLOW ME! FOLLOW THE BIRDS!