The team at Newlands Cricket Ground has honoured a “legendary” ice cream seller!
Western Cape, South Africa (24 May 2021) – Western Province Cricket Association paid tribute to legendary ice-cream seller Moegamat ‘Boeta’ Cassiem, who has worked at Six Gun Grill Newlands for over 55 years.
Former players, administrators, representatives from his employers Dairymaid and the entire WPCA staff were in attendance as the association gave a fitting tribute to the legendary Mr Cassiem.
Brand and Sponsorship Manager David Brooke began proceedings and described Boeta Cassiem as “the best brand ambassador Newlands has had or will ever have.”
“Unfortunately, Mr Cassiem is not well at the moment. He has renal failure, and his family got in touch with us to say that he’d like to come and walk onto Newlands one final time, but we decided to do something a little more fitting for him and a bit more personal, so we invited his entire family over to Newlands,” said Brooke.
WP Cricket legend Eric Simons, who is Boeta Cassiem’s favourite former player, joined other legends such as JP Duminy and Ashwell Prince, who came out to support Mr Cassiem on this special day and said that “Boeta Cassiem is more popular than most of the cricketers to have ever played at Newlands.”
WPCA Interim CEO Tennyson Botes unveiled a plaque to commemorate the occasion, which is going to be placed on the Oaks Grass Embankment to commemorate him for generations to come, and said, “It is significant to honour and celebrate a life whilst that person is still alive, even more, significant doing so with many generations present today. These are priceless lessons we learn from our fathers and endeavour to teach generations after us.”
“Although you sold ice cream, the things you shared were all priceless. The love, the happiness, the smile, the energy… no money in the world can afford.
“On behalf of WP Cricket, Thanks for bringing special memories. Thanks for the pure joy you added too many lives over a number of years.”
Despite Mr Cassiem’s family jokingly suggesting he now retires, Botes quipped.
“You will never retire from Newlands… the scoreboard will read – Boeta Cassiem not out… or in your words… Boeta Cassiem is nog wakker!!”
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