‘Professor’ Mlungisi Ngubane marks 70th birthday with star-studded Durban celebration

South African football legend and respected TV analyst Mlungisi Ngubane is celebrating a major milestone as he turns 70, with a series of high-profile events honouring his decades-long contribution to the beautiful game.

Affectionately known as “Professor”, Ngubane will be celebrated at a gala dinner at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Umhlanga on Friday.

The evening is expected to draw some of the biggest names in football, including former players, administrators and community leaders, all gathering to pay tribute to a man widely regarded as one of the sport’s most influential thinkers.

But the occasion is not only about marking another year. It is a recognition of a career that has shaped football conversations in South Africa, both on and off the pitch.

From his coaching influence to his sharp television analysis, Ngubane has earned a reputation as one of the most respected voices in the game.

The celebrations will extend beyond the banquet hall. A Celebrity Golf Day at the Royal Durban Golf Club is also scheduled, with proceeds supporting grassroots football development and the revival of Durban Bush Bucks FC.