Murdered Wolwe rugby player’s legacy will live on through new foundation

The news of talented rugby player Gert Roets’ (23) death shook Kempton Park earlier this year.

Gertjie, as his family called him, was shot while on his way home. He lost his battle a week later, after a leg amputation in a bid to save his life.

“We knew we had to do something,” his sister Cindy Jacobs told Express, four months after his death. “He couldn’t just become one of the statistics.”

Also read:

• HELP NEEDED: Wolwe rugby player faces leg amputation after shooting

• UPDATE: ‘They didn’t want to steal, they just wanted to kill us’

• Young Gertjie loses his battle following leg amputation

• WATCH: Many dressed in white and blue attend Gertjie’s funeral

To honour Gertjie, the G5 Foundation was established. Its members are Jacobs, Gertjie’s brother Kobus Roets, friend Charlene Bronkhorst and friend Shanté Fouché.

According to Jacobs, the foundation hopes to raise awareness about violence and to assist children with sports injuries who have no medical aid.

The foundation hosts fund-raising events during the year to help these victims. Aptly, they start each event by playing Jy’s ‘n legend by Kurt Darren. The song was also played at Gertjie’s funeral.

“Gertjie was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” the foundation’s vision reads. “We can’t help every victim of violence, but we can try.”

When asked whether she thinks Gertjie would be proud of the foundation, Jacobs could not hide her tears: “Yes, definitely.”

Although they hope to do good, Jacobs said the foundation was in need of donations.

Residents who would like to help can email info@g5foundation.co.za or call 076 627 7953 and 061 881 6118. Donations can also be made to the G5 Foundation, ABSA, savings account, 933 883 1564 6582.

The foundation also has a Facebook page, G5 Foundation – #Helpvirgertjie.