Orlando Pirates Mourn the Passing of Nani Chakane

Orlando Pirates are mourning the loss of one of the club’s most cherished matriarchs, with the passing of Mrs Maleshoane Elizabeth “Nani” Chakane on 23 June 2026.

Mrs Chakane, the beloved wife of Mr Franklin Chakane, held a special place in the wider Pirates family, her presence felt well beyond the touchline and boardroom. Her death has drawn an outpouring of sympathy from within the club and across the football community.

In a period of deep grief for the Chakanes, Orlando Pirates have called on supporters and the broader football fraternity to keep the family in their thoughts and prayers. The club has extended its heartfelt condolences to Mr Chakane, the entire Chakane family, their relatives, friends, and all those whose lives were shaped or warmed by her.

Funeral Arrangements

The funeral service will take place on Thursday, 2 July 2026, at the Uniting Reformed Church of South Africa in Orlando East, Soweto. Proceedings are scheduled to begin at 09:00. After the service, the funeral procession is expected to leave the church at approximately 11:00 for the burial at Nasrec Cemetery.

Mourners are being received at the family home at 1173 Jacobs Street, Protea North, Soweto, where friends, supporters, and members of the community have the opportunity to pay their respects.

In a sport defined by noise, passion, and rivalry, moments like this cut through everything. For Orlando Pirates, this is a time to stand together, to honour a life intertwined with the club’s story, and to walk with the Chakane family through their loss.