Thousands attend funeral for murdered South African football captain

World Today

Funeral for Senzo Meyiwa,Fans hold hold posters as South Africans gather at the Moses Mabhida stadium to pay their final respects to South African National Football Team Captain and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa, during his funeral in Durban, on November 1, 2014. Meyiwa, who had just turned 27, was gunned down by an intruder while visiting his pop star girlfriend south-east of Johannesburg in a crime that shocked the nation. AFP PHOTO / RAJESH JANTILAL

National football captain Senzo Meyiwa was shot to death during an attempted robbery at his home. Authorities saied a suspect has been arrested and charged with murder. Thousands of mourners attended his funeral to pay their last respects. CCTV America’s Dan Williams reports.

Tens of thousands of well-wishers packed the Moses Mabidha stadium in Durban for the funeral of Orlando Pirates and South Africa national team captain Senzo Meyiwa. Some were there to celebrate his life, but others found it all too much.

A police brass band led the way as Meyiwa’s coffin arrived by car. It was taken on a lap of honor as players and coaches from Orlando Pirates followed behind, and Meyiwa’s family members made their way to their seats.

There was a hush as Senzo’s coffin was taken from the car. His colleagues formed a guard of honor. Some struggled to hold back the emotions as Meyiwa’s life and achievements were celebrated.

When footage of his career was played on the big screen, it brought both cheers and further sadness.”So almost a week after his tragic death, Senzo Meyiwa has been laid to rest.

The repercussions for South Africa continue, and there are many in the country that hope the senseless killing can bring change to the country and help end the prevalent gun culture.

“Words like horror, outrage, cruel, tragic, senseless, untimely death,” began Danny Jordaan, President of the South African Football Association (SAFA). “These words describe not only how they view the death of Senzo, but how we must view what is happening in our society. Somewhere in our society the value and the respect for human life is being challenged.”

The sports minister Fikile Mbalula promised to bring those responsible to justice..

“We have got every reason to be angry about Senzo…but justice is grinding and we will find them,” said Mbalula. “As we will find them every day. We will never rest up until we find all of them.”

Even so, that would have to wait for another time. The funeral was about celebrating the life of a sportsman at the top of his game that cruelly ended far too early.