Ekurhuleni’s executive mayor Mondli Gungubele has called on South Africans to protect their sporting heroes because “they are the glue that keeps us united as people of the country, regardless of race”.
Paying tribute to late Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa, boxer Phindile Mwelase and former 800m world champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, at the monthly council meeting in Germiston on Thursday, Gungubele made it clear that sport has played a critical role in the reconciliation of this country.
“Even at the height of apartheid, sport brought South Africans together,” he said.
“We have hosted a number of international sporting events, including the 1995 Rugby World Cup, 1996 Afcon and 2010 Fifa World Cup, where South Africans from all walks of life came together in harmony and support of their country.
“That is the power of sport.
“Therefore, when you have sporting heroes, you must treasure them, because not only do they entertain you, but they are also the glue that keeps us all together, regardless of gender and race.
“Sport breaks down the barriers of division among our people.
“It is only a person who does not understand the role sporting people play in the fibre of the nation who can take the life of people like Senzo Meyiwa.
“This was a national asset who was doing excellent duty for the country, but some ungrateful thug did not even think of such.”
Gungubele further appealed to South Africans to stand up and put a stop to crime.
“It is not the duty of the police to create order,” he said.
“Communities create order and the police maintain it.
“The time to stop crime is now, otherwise we shall continue losing our prominent personalities through this evil.”
Gungubele then thanked the Meyiwa family for having lent the country Senzo, who was among the reconciliators of South Africa through his talent in football.
“We (the City of Ekurhuleni) are with the Meyiwa family right now,” he said.
“We are sharing the pain with them and pray that God gives them the strength to survive this difficult time.”
