27 October 2014 - Minister of Sports and Recreation SA, Fikile Mbalula, SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan and Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba all heaped praise on the late Orlando Pirates and national team number one goalkeeper, Senzo Meyiwa as a selfless person whose blossoming career was cut short by senseless people.
Meyiwa was gunned down on Sunday evening on the East Rand, sending shock waves across the country and the world at the outrageous murder of the country’s number one goalkeeper and skipper.
Meyiwa was gunned down on Sunday evening on the East Rand, sending shock waves across the country and the world at the outrageous murder of the country’s number one goalkeeper and skipper.
“Senzo was a fighter; he never gave up and was a giant both for his club Pirates and the national team. He was a team player who had touched so many lives; he was a role model and a winner who dedicated the greater part of his life to serving his country.
“These heartless murderers can run but will not find a place to hide. We are all gutted as a country at this senseless killing. This is not the way we expected a hero like Senzo to say goodbye,” said an emotional Mbalula. “I used to call him Captain Fantastic.”
SAFA President, Dr Jordaan said there was a proliferation of illegal guns in the hands of irresponsible people and it was high time the government introduce a law to curb this behaviour.
“Isn’t it high time we introduce the Senzo Meyiwa gun law?” he asked rhetorically. “There are too many illegal guns around and here is a young man eager to plough back into society mowed down without mercy. This cannot be allowed to continue,” added Dr Jordaan.
The SAFA President said he was still finding it difficult to come to terms that Senzo (Meyiwa) was no more.
“We will miss Senzo as a person, captain and an example for other players. He was a rare breed. We are very angry, gutted that there are people in society that can do this without a second thought (taking someone’s life),” said the SAFA President.
He said it was his urgent hope that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book and face the full mighty of the law.
“The perpetrators of this heinous crime must be ashamed of themselves. This is inhuman.”
At the same time, Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba said much as he didn’t want to accept that his captain was gone, he had to accept it for the sake of finding closure to the matter.
“Senzo never stopped smiling even when the chips were down. He once told me he had no time to get angry. What has upset me of all things was that Senzo died when he was starting to realise his cherished dream of leading the national team to dizzy heights. I have no words to describe my emotions,” said Mashaba.
His sentiments were also echoed by Banyana Banyana coach Vera Pauw who said Senzo’s untimely death had robbed the nation of a true hero.
Meanwhile, both CAF and FIFA have sent letter of condolences to the SAFA President mourning the death of Senzo Meyiwa.
In a letter signed by CAF President, Issa Hayatou, CAF said it was shocked and dismayed to learn about the ‘passing away of South Africa and Orlando Pirates captain and goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa.’
“Losing such a talented player and young gentleman is a tragedy for South Africa...Our thoughts are with the family and relatives.”
“Meyiwa was one of the most promising South African players and he took with great pride his responsibility as captain of both the national team and club. Words cannot describe our sadness,” read the letter signed by Hayatou on behalf of CAF.
FIFA President, Joseph Sepp Blatter said the international football community was gutted at the senseless killing of Meyiwa.
“Senzo will be sadly missed by his teammates and fans at Orlando Pirates and the national team, which he recently captained with great success in their latest qualifying matches.
“Please express my most heartfelt sympathy to all of Senzo’s loved ones and let them know that our thoughts are with them at this difficult time,” said the FIFA President.
“These heartless murderers can run but will not find a place to hide. We are all gutted as a country at this senseless killing. This is not the way we expected a hero like Senzo to say goodbye,” said an emotional Mbalula. “I used to call him Captain Fantastic.”
SAFA President, Dr Jordaan said there was a proliferation of illegal guns in the hands of irresponsible people and it was high time the government introduce a law to curb this behaviour.
“Isn’t it high time we introduce the Senzo Meyiwa gun law?” he asked rhetorically. “There are too many illegal guns around and here is a young man eager to plough back into society mowed down without mercy. This cannot be allowed to continue,” added Dr Jordaan.
The SAFA President said he was still finding it difficult to come to terms that Senzo (Meyiwa) was no more.
“We will miss Senzo as a person, captain and an example for other players. He was a rare breed. We are very angry, gutted that there are people in society that can do this without a second thought (taking someone’s life),” said the SAFA President.
He said it was his urgent hope that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book and face the full mighty of the law.
“The perpetrators of this heinous crime must be ashamed of themselves. This is inhuman.”
At the same time, Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba said much as he didn’t want to accept that his captain was gone, he had to accept it for the sake of finding closure to the matter.
“Senzo never stopped smiling even when the chips were down. He once told me he had no time to get angry. What has upset me of all things was that Senzo died when he was starting to realise his cherished dream of leading the national team to dizzy heights. I have no words to describe my emotions,” said Mashaba.
His sentiments were also echoed by Banyana Banyana coach Vera Pauw who said Senzo’s untimely death had robbed the nation of a true hero.
Meanwhile, both CAF and FIFA have sent letter of condolences to the SAFA President mourning the death of Senzo Meyiwa.
In a letter signed by CAF President, Issa Hayatou, CAF said it was shocked and dismayed to learn about the ‘passing away of South Africa and Orlando Pirates captain and goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa.’
“Losing such a talented player and young gentleman is a tragedy for South Africa...Our thoughts are with the family and relatives.”
“Meyiwa was one of the most promising South African players and he took with great pride his responsibility as captain of both the national team and club. Words cannot describe our sadness,” read the letter signed by Hayatou on behalf of CAF.
FIFA President, Joseph Sepp Blatter said the international football community was gutted at the senseless killing of Meyiwa.
“Senzo will be sadly missed by his teammates and fans at Orlando Pirates and the national team, which he recently captained with great success in their latest qualifying matches.
“Please express my most heartfelt sympathy to all of Senzo’s loved ones and let them know that our thoughts are with them at this difficult time,” said the FIFA President.
By: Editor
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