Former Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba is facing one of the toughest battles of his life after being diagnosed with prostate cancer and tuberculosis (TB), prompting his family to make an emotional public appeal for financial and medical assistance.
The 75-year-old football mentor, who spent decades developing South African football talent and led the national team during two separate stints, is reportedly bedridden and reliant on public healthcare facilities as his health continues to deteriorate.
His children spoke during an interview on Metro FM’s Sports Night Amplified with Andile Ncube stating that Mashaba’s condition has worsened significantly in recent months.
Mashaba’s daughter, Nonhlanhla, painted a grim picture of her father’s health.
“Dad is not doing well at all. He’s been sick for quite some time, but now it’s just very bad. He’s not doing well. He’s even bedridden as we speak.”
She revealed that the former coach no longer has medical aid and is struggling to access the level of care his condition requires through the public health system.
Her twin brother, Jabu Mashaba, explained that their father’s health complications began nearly two years ago when he suffered bladder failure, which eventually required the use of a catheter. Towards the end of 2025, doctors diagnosed him with tuberculosis after he developed a persistent cough. More recently, the family received the devastating news that he also has prostate cancer and is awaiting further scans to determine the extent of the disease.
Jabu shared the heartbreaking impact the illness has had on his father’s quality of life.
“Even now he says to me, ‘What if I could just get an hour without pain? That would be fine.'”
The family said Mashaba has not had a regular income for years following his departure from the South African Football Association (SAFA) in 2016. Since then, he has relied largely on his pension and settlement funds, while mounting medical costs have placed severe strain on the family. His children say they have used their own resources and paused parts of their businesses to care for both their father and mother, who is also facing health challenges.
Calls have emerged for fundraising initiatives and support from football stakeholders to help secure private medical treatment and improve his quality of life.
Mashaba remains one of South Africa’s most respected football figures. He coached Bafana Bafana between 2002 and 2004 and again from 2014 to 2016, while also playing a significant role in the development of youth football structures across the country. His contribution to the game was recognised last year when SAFA president Danny Jordaan visited him in hospital and presented him with the bronze medal won by Bafana Bafana at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Health organisations note that prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting South African men and often requires extensive treatment and long-term care. Support structures are available through organisations such as the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa and Cancer Association of South Africa, which provide counselling, support services and resources for patients and their families.
For now, the Mashaba family says their biggest wish is to secure better medical care and pain management for the football legend whose life has been dedicated to serving South African football.
Michael Mashile 