The tragic loss of three netball players and their assistant coach has been described as a great loss to the sporting fraternity. This has been revealed during a joint memorial service at Mthatha in the Eastern Cape.
Assistant coach Nocamagu Mvunyiswa, Phelo Charles, Indiphile Mfengu and Thabisile Maxikixa were travelling to the Netball Championships in Cape Town when a bus they were traveling in overturned on the R61 near Aberdeen. Many of the players were left injured.
Families, the sporting fraternity and government officials attended the memorial service. Netball lovers travelled from different parts of the province to pay their last respect.
Eastern Cape Netball fraternity holds memorial service for bus crash victims:
‘A blow to sport’
Eastern Cape Federation of Netball president Mzondeleli Qotoyi says this is a blow to the sport.
“It’s a blow below the belt. If you can look at these teams, you will find that they are from the rural talent, far from the gravel areas of Mpondoland, Mpondiomisaland and all over the province. And they were still young but having an opportunity to fight for their space in the national team. Coming from those far remote rural areas, it’s really a blow.”
Families are still struggling to accept the tragedy. Speaking on behalf of the families Siphetho Tyhobeka says the beacon of hope for the respective families is gone.
Teammates of the fallen netball players could not hold their tears. The youngest victim Indiphile Mfengu has been described as one of the best players, an academic and also a possible future Protea.
“It’s a terrible blow because if you look at it Indiphiwe was just 17. We were able to see her potential academically, her mother together with her received an award from Khanyisa High School, three of them and she also received an award in the netball sport. She was a humble person, we looked forward to seeing her being an adult in the near future or being a leader,” says Indiphile’s uncle, Sphetho Tyhobeka.
“We were looking forward to going to the national championships. It’s been long since we went and competed. So we were fit and we were ready but it was unfortunate that we got that accident. Our coach was a strength to the team. She made sure we went to these games. For now, we don’t know when we will get to the field because our hearts are broken,” says Netball player Nosiviwe Deliwe.
Government hopes this will not deter netball players from participating in the sport, saying the incident was unfortunate.
“We have a responsibility as government to appeal to our people, the road carnage is a challenge. And it’s senseless of losing a life. Losing a life that probably could have been protected. To drivers, pedestrians, they should be careful. We are losing lives that should be the future of this country, if you look at these families, they might have been pinning their hopes on these young people,” says Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane.
Deputy Minister, Sports Arts and Culture Nocawe Mafu says, “It’s a very sad moment for the sporting fraternity, particularly for the families. We are grateful to the provincial government for doing a joint memorial service so that all can say goodbye. We hope as the days go by, they might be able to accept.”
Calls have been made for the government and the private sector to invest in netball. The players will be laid to rest in their home towns and villages between the 14 and 19th.
VIDEO: Sports officials visit families of netball players following bus crash
