Lucas Radebe Appointed 2010 Goodwill Ambassador

Former Bafana Bafana Captain Lucas Radebe was introduced yesterday by Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk, the Minister of Tourism, as South African Tourism’s 2010 ambassador to the world. Minister van Schalkwyk made the announcement at an event in Sandton where he also launched a Brand Messaging Book for Tourism for South Africans.

45714-medium In 2004, the 40-year-old Soweto-born former Kaizer Chiefs and Leeds United captain was ranked 54th in the Top 100 Great South Africans.

Ten things you may (or may not) know about Lucas Radebe

He was born in Diepkloof, Soweto on 12 April 1969, one of a family of 10 children
He spent his young adulthood in the former homeland of Bophuthatswana where he started playing football to help him cope with boredom.
He made his international debut playing for South Africa against Cameroon on 7 July 1992 and went on to earn 70 caps for South Africa.
Kaizer Chiefs ‘sold’ Radebe to Leeds United in 1994 for 250 000.
His nickname at Leeds, ‘The Chief’, was given to him by the fans in acknowledgement of his star defense player qualities.
Lucas Radebe captained Leeds United from 1998 to 2002. He retired from football in 2005.
Last year a local brewery (near Leeds’ home ground, Elland Road) asked for public suggestions for a new beer name. ‘Radebebeer’ was proposed by thousands in his honour..
He counts former President Nelson Mandela and Gary Player among his close personal friends..
In December 2000, he received the FIFA Fair Play Award for his efforts to rid soccer of racism as well as for his work with children in South Africa.
Kaiser Chiefs, the English indie rock band from Leeds took its name from the iconic South African football team of the same name because Lucas Radebe played for them once as a defender.