A local was one of the people who got robbed when the Springboks returned at OR Tambo airport after being victorious during the World Cup.

Deepa Kesa, old Merensky High School learner and journalist for Times Live was at OR Tambo International Airport to film the Springboks.

Kesa was also an intern journalist at Letaba Herald during her media studies.

“The vibe was chaos, I’m not going to lie. It was overwhelming because I wasn’t there to have fun. I was there to work,” Kesa told Letaba Herald.

According to her the airport was packed and she wasn’t sure if she was going to get the shots that her editor wanted.

“It was very stressful. But at the same time, it was amazing. It was amazing to see how many people showed up just to share this amazing moment. I was so excited! I was
most excited to see the trophy in ‘person’. That was the main reason that I wanted to cover the boys’ return, just to see the trophy,” Kesa said.

She told Herald that she was overwhelmed because she needed to record their entrance.

“There were so many people in front of me, I was nowhere near the front. I had no way of getting the perfect shot. I was running around trying to make a plan and time was
running out. Eventually I decided to go to the third floor, pull out a zoom lens and film it from there, but a few videographers thought about it before me and there was no space. I then decided to lie on the floor next to the SuperSport anchor and I got the perfect shot. While it was happening, it was surreal. One of the most amazing moments I have ever experienced,” she said.

But the excitement soon turned into a nightmare.

Kesa told Herald that she was filming the first flight of Springboks to enter the terminal, that lasted for about 10 minutes.

“After that happened, I immediately started making my way downstairs to the media press room. Once I finally pushed my way through the crowd and got to the door of
the media room, I was then told by security that the room is full and they can’t allow me in. Security, police and crazed fans got into battle. Everyone was pushing from different directions. I decided to use my tripod to get my way out of the crowd and found a more quiet spot,” she said.

Watch: Soweto rugby players uplifted by Springbok triumph

Kesa sat on the floor and wanted to start editing the footage that she already had.

“A gentleman sat next to me, which was fine because so many people were sitting down. He then pushed my bag forward and put what looked like a gun in-between us,” she relives the ordeal.

She said that she looked at the weapon and looked at the man and he then said “what can you give me?”.

“ I pushed my equipment bag towards him and told him that this is all that I have. He took the bag and walked away. I sat on the floor for what felt like 10 minutes, in shock. Eventually I turned to the lady next to me and told her that I think I have just been robbed. She then told me to go and report it. I went to security and they had my bag, they
said that it was found, I checked the bag and saw that the one zip was open. My phone, charger, two camera batteries and a memory card was stolen,” Kesa said.

Deepa was in shock.

“I felt paralysed. It was like I couldn’t breathe or move. I went through a similar situation about four weeks ago and after a lot of tears and therapy I started to get better and now it happened again. I am angry, I am sad, I’m frustrated but mostly, I am mentally and physically defeated and broken. I couldn’t believe that I left the airport in tears holding a case number instead of being excited and seeing the trophy.”

But the Springbok’s win still means a lot to her despite the ordeal.

“The unity that everyone spoke of, is nonexistent anymore (in my eyes),” she
however said.

According to Kesa crime in South Africa is unfortunately not getting any better.

“Especially for females working in the field that I work in. Having such expensive equipment with you at all times, makes you an immediate target. I feel scared to do anything, drive, walk, go to the movie or public bathrooms. I am just always scared… This is not the way I want to live,” she remarks.

This is not the first time that Kesa got robbed.

“The first time that I was held up happened about one month ago. I was driving to work at my normal 07:00 time as I have been doing for the past year. I then got to a red
robot and waited for about five seconds,” she tells.

A man then came to her window and banged on it with his first, he then pointed to the back of her car.

“I turned around to see what he was pointing. I then saw another man at my back window holding a gun to the window. I then looked forward again and realised that there
was two other men at each side of my door, they started banging on my window with their firearms. I opened my window and they demanded that I give them whatever I had. I gave them my iPhone and R2 000.”

They demanded more and she told them that she don’t have anything.

“The one man then grabbed me by my shirt and told me to stop lying. He told me that he wanted to look inside of my boot, so I said okay and I opened it. Once I opened
the boot the robot turned green and I drove away.”

Kesa would like to thank everyone.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone for their well and warm wishes. Thank you for all of the messages, calls and hugs- it really has helped me so much.”