Sad farewell for drowned soccer players
More than 200 people filled the Joe Slovo Community Hall in Phoenix on Monday to say farewell to Buhle “Gora” Pantshwa and Siyamthanda “Zaya” Mqolombeni, who both drowned at Lagoon Beach a week earlier.
It’s believed the two 19-year-olds, who played for the Lokshin Spurs soccer team in Joe Slovo and matriculated last year from Sinenjongo High School, were swept away by a rip current after they went into the water on the morning of Sunday July 21, to retrieve a soccer ball. Their bodies washed ashore the next day (“Three weekend drownings at Lagoon Beach, Small Bay,” Tabletalk, July 24).
Most of the speakers at the memorial service said the two young men’s tight friendship had bordered on brotherhood.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Siyabonga Masizana said: “This is not something any parent envisions for their child. Instead parents worry about leaving their children behind in this world. But we as a community are here to support and show love to these families during this difficult time.”
Their friends, including past and present pupils of Sinenjongo High School, lit two candles and sang a song to remember them, while their teammates saluted them, and family members comforted one another.
Community leader Linda Mqikela encouraged the families and the community to stand together in times of need while Phoenix resident Amanda Kemp read a speech on behalf of ward councillor Anthony Benadie, who apologised for not being able to make it to the service but sent his condolences.
Mr Mqolombeni leaves behind his parents, Zukile and Nomkhululi Mqolombeni, along with three brothers and a sister. He will be buried in his hometown of Mcwangele Location in Tsolo, in the Eastern Cape on Saturday August 3. Mr Pantshwa, will be laid to rest more than 90km away, in Elliotdale, on the same day. He leaves behind his mother, brother and sister.
