GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - A well-known church leader, sportsman, politician and a much-loved father of 10, Sam Williams, celebrated his 100th birthday on Sunday 25 December.

Sam Williams was born in 1922 in Graaff-Reinet. He married Minah Katie on 8 June 1957.

Williams was actively involved in football and joined Shamrocks Football Club in 1951. He later established the Flying Stars Football Club. The team boasted players such as Manie Guy Davids, Basie Lêntê Vrolik, Foedei and John Nappies.

One of his most memorable days was when he captained his team to victory (9-3) against Young Rangers from Vereniging in Gauteng. On completing a successful football career, he became president of the Graaff-Reinet Footballs Referees Association before his retirement.

In 1957 he became an evangelist minister at Luzipho Congregational church in Umasizakhe.

Williams got involved in politics in 1983 but retired after Nelson Mandela was elected President of South Africa in 1994.

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