Football pioneer and education advocate, Daniel Donald Dhliwayo, affectionately known as “DD” has sadly passed away.
The legend passed away on Thursday, 1 May, at Milpark Hospital in Joburg. He was 98 years old and would have turned 99 in September 2025.
DD, a former chairman of Orlando Pirates Football Club, was a man of many hats. From being a dedicated teacher who helped fund his students’ education, to leading the Buccaneers and transforming them into one of the continent’s football powerhouses, his legacy stretches far beyond the pitch.
Speaking to Daily Sun, his son Kutlwano Dhliwayo shared the heartbreaking details of his dad’ final moments.
“We were hopeful that he’d make it. His condition worsened, and he was moved to ICU where he spent five weeks. They tried everything to resuscitate and stabilise him,” said Kutlwano.
Kutlwano explained that he had just left the hospital when he got a call at about 11.15pm.
“I left the hospital late that night because it didn’t look good. I stayed beyond visiting hours. I was the last person to see him alive. Then I got the call. They said his vitals were dropping and I needed to come immediately. I understood what they were saying.”
He rushed back and arrived around 11.30pm.
“When I got there, the doctor told me he had taken his last breath at 11.27pm. That was devastating.”
The family chose not to announce DD’s passing immediately, as they were still in shock.
“We honestly believed he’d recover. We hadn’t written him off, even the doctors hadn’t written him off. Just the day before, we were talking about how well he was doing. His passing came as a shock,” said Kutlwano.
DD’s legacy in football dates back to the 1970s when he served as chairman of Pirates.
Under his leadership, the club grew into one of South Africa’s most powerful football institutions.
He played a key role in securing sponsorships and developing young football talent, shaping the careers of many current and former football leaders.
But his love for education ran just as deep. Born to a mineworker dad and a mum who sold magwinya to make ends meet, DD never forgot his roots.
Inspired by his own struggles, he co-founded the Rand Bursary Fund in the late 1960s with the late Dr Thamsanqa Kambule to raise money for students needing financial support for their studies.
Kutlwano also expressed the family’s gratitude to the Pirates family and the broader football community.
“We want to thank the Orlando Pirates family, especially the chairman Dr Irvin Khoza, for the special tribute they made.”
“They reached out and said they would honour the old man with a moment of silence before the matches and will also contribute toward his send-off,” he said.
His funeral service will be in Mondeor, Joburg on Friday, 9 May, from 8-11 am. The funeral will then proceed to the Nesrec Memorial Park.
