Share

SA to honour departed heroes

Johannesburg - South Africans will go to a memorial service in Johannesburg to pay their final respects to three sporting figures who died within three days of each other.

As news spread of the death of Olympic silver medalist Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, the country learned of the murder of popular national soccer team captain and goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa and less than a day later the sports ministry announced that professional boxer Phindile Mwelase had died.

The ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that the combined memorial service would be held at the Standard Bank Arena, which holds more than 6 000 people, on Thursday.

"As a nation we have celebrated the victories of these three national sports athletes together and now we stand together to bid them farewell," said Aleck Skhosana, president of Athletics South Africa.

Meyiwa, who was also the goalkeeper of Orlando Pirates, one of South Africa's most popular club soccer teams, was shot in an apparent robbery on Sunday night and police have released drawings of two men involved in the incident. No arrests have been made yet.

South Africa's national soccer coach Ephraim Mashaba has delayed naming the squad set to play in two qualifying games in the African Cup of Nations. Mashaba, who was due to announce the team on Thursday, said Meyiwa would have been the first name on his list.

Mulaudzi, a former 800-meter world champion who carried South Africa's flag during the opening ceremony of the 2004 Athens Olympics, was killed in a car crash on Friday.

Female welterweight fighter Mwelase died in hospital Saturday after being in a coma for two weeks after she was knocked out during a fight.

Her death was announced on Monday.

All three will be buried in their respective hometowns over the weekend.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE