St Alban’s coach Victor Fouda was a pillar of the game
IT would be an understatement to say that Victor Fouda’s passing in late December has left a substantial void in the South African basketball scene. A familiar face in various courts, Vic embodied everything good about the game. He was a dedicated mentor, saw the bigger picture, and was a strong pillar within the basketball community, especially in Tshwane.
I did not think the last time I would see him would be a few weeks before I travelled for the AfroBasket in Angola last year. Our final conversation naturally revolved around basketball and the focus on the Cameroon U19 team. Analysing his country’s poor performances at the 2025 U19 World Cup in Switzerland, he pointed out that the wholesale changes made to the playing personnel that qualified for the tournament after making the 2024 U18 AfroBasket final disrupted the team.
One of the comments he made that stuck with me was, ‘You cannot buy chemistry.’ Given his many years of moulding and shaping young men on the court for over 20 years at St Alban’s College and his track record of success at the high school and BNLSA levels, it would have been hard to go against his sentiments.
What I fondly recall about him is that everyone felt his presence on St Alban’s game days. The players on the court, the bench and fans were all treated to his theatrical mannerisms on the sidelines.
His intensity, passion, and animated but stern demeanour were a thing of legend as he urged his players on and called them out when they failed to execute. There was also the collected Vic, who was ready to talk about the game whenever I ran into him. The passion was the same and showed his eye for talent.
A 2018 conversation comes to mind about his compatriot and NBA star Pascal Siakam, who was already two years into his pro-career. In that discussion, Fouda raved about how great Siakam, who now plays for the Indiana Pacers, was going to be after witnessing his capabilities at the 2012 Basketball Without Borders Camp. He was on the money with his prediction as Siakam, then a Toronto Raptors player, played a significant role in leading the Canadian franchise to their first championship.
While our relationship dates back to when I worked in mainstream media, when I bet on myself by launching The Big Tip Off, he was one of the first people who helped me start the journey by inviting me to do a feature on his first team, which was about to travel to the USA. As St Alban’s prepared for a trip to the United States, he encouraged the young men to make the most of the opportunity.
“What I tell my players is, this type of tour can lead to bigger things, it’s about how you take advantage of it. Going to the USA is a dream for any basketball player so they must make use of this chance because you never know, you could be scouted and play college basketball in the USA,” said Fouda in the 2018 interview.
Much as he was a lifelong hooper, Vic was into football and a long-time Gunners fan. Then you can imagine the amount of anguish he went through each season Arsenal misfired after a promising start to the season.
Once, about ten years ago, while working a night shift, I took a call from Vic during my days in print media after Arsenal had suffered a humiliating 8-2 defeat to Manchester United.
We talked for about 40 minutes about how terrible the team was and how the manager at the time, Arsene Wenger, had long lost his managerial mojo. The conversation could have continued into the night, but a missed deadline is a cardinal sin in print media.
This season is another that has promise, and hopefully our Gunners can do this one for Vic.
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A teammate and coach
Vic touched many lives. South African legend Neo Mothiba, who knew Fouda from the late 90s and would later win championships with him, remembers a devoted father and his passion for the game.
“I first met Victor in 1999, when he was the selector for the U19 Northern Gauteng team that travelled to Durban for the USASSA Championships. He later became my coach and teammate when I returned to Pretoria to play for Pretoria Heat, and he also coached me in the Tshwane Suns, where we went on to win two BNLSA championships,” said Mothiba.
“He played a pivotal role in my basketball journey and development. His love for the game was immense. His passion was felt by everyone who had the privilege of working with him. Beyond basketball, he was a devoted father and a family man whose love for his boys and his family was truly exemplary.
“He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his legacy – as a mentor, teammate, coach, and friend – will live on in our hearts and in the game he loved so much.”
A rival and a brother
University of Pretoria coach Thanda Kweyama, who coached Pretoria High School for Boys in many battles against Fouda’s St Albans, reflected on those duels and the legacy he left.
“Victor was not only a rival on the court, but also a brother who always looked out for his St Alban’s boys. He always wanted them to compete, play with purpose and passion. You could see in his animated reactions when he coached,” said Kweyama. “He was a giver and a mentor, but most importantly, he made basketball fun and appreciated. His parting leaves a big hole in most hearts. For me personally, it’s the battles when I coached Boys High and the derby days.”
Kweyama continued: “I will miss his calmness when he spoke in private, versus the alter ego on the court when he was coaching.”
“Basketball in general has lost a hero and a father to many.”
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