Thousands attend Leremi burial
2007-09-11 09:43
Soweto - Thousands of mourners gathered at the Grace Bible Church in Pimville, Soweto on Monday to pay their last respects to former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder, Gift Mpho Leremi, who died in a car accident near Alberton on September 3.
The list of dignitaries included MEC of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Barbara Creecy, President of Sascoc Moss Mashishi, Orlando Pirates chairperson Dr Irvin Khoza, Mamelodi Sundowns president Patrice Motsepe, Kaizer Chiefs chairperson Kaizer Motaung and many other personalities from various sporting and business sectors.
Former Orlando Pirates player and friend of the deceased, Jimmy Tau, spoke of a Leremi who was misunderstood by society, "I would like to plead with the public to stop judging Gift Leremi and leave the judgment to the Almighty God," said Tau.
Paying tribute to the former Bucs defender, Pirates' boss Irvin Khoza told the gathering, "Gift first emerged at the Godfrey Moloi tournament, then the Metropolitan Cup in Cape Town, and, moving from Pirates to Sundowns, he played for our country's Under-20, Under-23 and on to the national side. He had developed to a stage where many of us believed he would play a key role in the Bafana Bafana team in 2010.
"Perhaps this explains why his loss has so shocked the entire family of South African football.
"He was a beacon of hope in our future; and, as we sit here today, among his family and friends, there is no doubt that our future seems a little darker without the light of Gift Leremi.
"As I stand here now, I wonder whether, as a sport, as an industry, we failed Gift Leremi, and whether we are continuing to fail many young South Africans who give their best years to soccer.
"As administrators, we are obliged to provide the young men who play our sport at the highest level with the opportunity and the means to learn the life skills that will ensure they are successful not only on the field of play, but also outside the four white lines.
"It may seem harsh, but a sportsman's life is not a normal life. While most of us can experiment and explore through our 20s and 30s, safe in the knowledge that we will only reach our professional prime in our 40s and beyond, sportsmen must quickly gain maturity and discipline because they reach their prime in their 20s.
"As administrators, it is our duty to give our players the skills that will enable them to deal with the demands and pressure. I do not believe we have done so in the past, but we must do so now.
"Today, we mourn for Gift. It is right and proper for us to grieve, just as Jesus wept over the death of his friend, Lazarus.
"It is a pity that Leremi had to depart at such a young age but only God knows the reason why and it is important to not question his actions."
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