ALI MPHAKI
In his heyday he was arguably one of the best central defenders in the country. Yesterday, former Moroka Swallows defender Mthunzi “Shadow” Kota, said he cast his vote “to defend democracy”.
Kota, 64, may now be sporting grey hair, but many will remember the brilliant player who donned the number five maroon and white Swallows jersey in the 1970s and 1980s. He is gap-toothed, and gone are the agility and dexterity from his professional football days.
Yesterday, Kota was up early to cast his vote. He could have been among the first to arrive when the polls opened at Mogolokoane Primary School in Dube at 7am, but due to a long night of discussing this and that with friends, he was only able to make it around 9am.
After queueing for less than 10 minutes, it was Kota’s turn to mark the ballot paper. He seemed confused with the two papers, but an IEC official was at hand to explain how the voting process works.
Kota was asked if he needed help and whether he was able to read the ballot paper.
After casting his vote, he told The Star: “I feel relieved now that I have voted.” Asked what party he voted for, Kota was unequivocal: “My vote is my secret, but I voted to defend democracy.”
The veteran soccer player said it pained him that because of apartheid, he never got a chance to show off his skills abroad.