Leading South African cricket officials paid tribute on Saturday to Minister of Safety and Security and former Minister of Sport, Steve Tshwete, who died at the weekend.

As the then shadow Minister of Sport, Tshwete played a leading role in bringing the old South African Cricket Union and the South African Cricket Board together to form the United Cricket Board in 1991. He was also instrumental in South Africa's readmission to international cricket and the country's participation in the 1992 World Cup.

"When Steve held the ANC's sport portfolio, he was instrumental in unifying South African cricket," said UCB chief executive Gerald Majola. "We all owe Steve a great debt for the fundamental role he played in bringing all South African cricketers together under one roof. In the process he made many life-long friends in the cricketing fraternity, friendships he maintained as Minister of Sport and Recreation and later as Minister of Safety and Security."

Ali Bacher, the first managing director of the UCB and currently Executive director of the 2003 World Cup, said: "He was loved by all. Hhe was loved and respected by everyone who was committed to the normalisation of South African sport."

Bacher worked closely with Tshwete during the unification of South African cricket and said: "I was immediately struck by the confidence Steve exuded for the task facing us all. He became known as 'Mr Fixit' by virtue of the central facilitating role he played in the unification of South African cricket in 1991. With him as the confident and compassionate facilitator it took just three short meetings in the wake of the ill-fated Gatting tour to achieve unification."

UCB president Percy Sonn said: UCBSA President Percy Sonn added: "A great friend of South African cricket has passed away. We all respected Steve and we loved him. Steve was a personal friend of many members of the General Council and of the cricketing fraternity. He will be sorely missed."

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