Story Behind The Nickname: Makhalanjalo

In this week's Story Behind The Nickname, an explanation is provided on the origin of late Orlando Pirates supporter Makhalanjalo's name, after he passed away unexpectedly due to illness.

According to fellow Pirates supporter Jwara-Bucs, his close friend Charles Fantisi got the nickname Makhalanjalo following a painful loss to the now-defunct Moroka Swallows. 

"If the nation can remember very well Makhalanjalo became famous for crying during Orlando Pirates matches, the very first time he cried was during our loss to Swallows," his close friend Jwara-Bucs explains.

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Jwara-Bucs said Makhalanjalo cried because Pirates had lost a game- he never seen Bucs lose.

"As supporters, we don't accept defeat in the same way. Some cry, and some even decide to take their own lives."

Jwara-Bucs makes an example of how their rival fans in Naturena are dealing with their team's bad form.

"As you can notice, our next-door neighbours are busy toy-toying, crying, complaining because they want their team to go back to winning ways." 

"Makhalanjalo showed pain when Pirates were losing. I remember those days, cellphones were not so many, and we relied a lot on landlines. People would call and ask why that gentleman was crying, what had happened. We had to explain that it was because he was finding it difficult to accept that Pirates lost to a team like Swallows, and he ended up trending.

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"Today, we have a few people who are crying in stadiums because of him. Some are putting white powders. We also started putting on our makarapas and followed the trend.

"Instead of toy-toying and fighting the team, Makhalanjalo thought it was better to fight using his own heart by crying."

Makhalanjalo's funeral service will be held in Sasolburg on 21 March at 07:00.

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Betway Premiership Makhalanjalo Orlando Pirates Supporters Club