Daily Sun (October 31 2014) - THOUSANDS of fans, friends and family members gathered to grieve together for Meyiwa, Mwelase and Mulaudzi. Tears flowed as speaker after speaker made a solemn commitment. SOUTH AFRICA WILL REMEMBER ITS FALLEN HEROES.
The arena rang to the sound of thousands of voices in unison, singing and praising the memory of the three young heroes of South African sport, all three taken violently in the prime of their lives and their sporting careers.
As the obituaries of Senzo Meyiwa, Phindile Mwelase and Mbulaeni Mulaudzi were read out, fans, family and colleagues couldn't hold back their tears.
"We shouldn't only mourn these fallen stars but should also celebrate them," said MEC for sport, arts, culture and recreation, Molebatsi Bopape.
"Death is a thief and the whole nation is left to mourn."
Senzo's friend, Mthokozisi Thwala, who was at the scene when Senzo died, said he was still shaken. After reading Senzo's obituary, Mthokozisi was taken away by paramedics.
Senzo's parents, Sam and Ntombifuthi Meyiwa, also attended the memorial service.
Kaizer Chiefs and former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune said he had a long history with Senzo.
"We have been battling for the number one position since we were 15 years old," he said.
"We gave the Bafana Bafana coach a headache because he didn't know who to play and who to put on the bench."
Ephraim Chauke, a friend of boxer Phindile, said he didn't go sparring with her because she had an injury.
"She went to fight on Friday and she lost the fight. She fell down," he said.
Speaking about Mbulaeni, Isaac Mbuyasi said the athlete was a friend on and off the field.
"I raced against him many times and only beat him three times," he said.
"But what matters now is that he is no longer with us."
Caster Semenya wept openly when a video of Mbulaeni was played. She was comforted by a friend who attended the ceremony with her.
Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba said Senzo was one of the greatest.
"This is a sombre moment, but we should be celebrating the lives of these young people," he said.
He said he will always remember Senzo as a bundle of energy.
"There was never any sadness when he was around," said Shakes.
He said the young heroes died within just three days of each other. "God was weeping when these stars passed away. It is as if it was planned," he said.
Minister of Sport and Recreation Fikile Mbalula said the pain the country feels today is the pain the mothers of these heroes feel.
"The heroes can't be compared because they were all special in their own way and contributed to sport differently," he said.
He said it was the people's task to find Senzo's killers.
"If they are your friends or boyfriends, release them. This nation will never rest until we find them," said the minister.
He said they are going to create a Hall of Fame to remember sporting heroes who have died.
He said there will be buses and trains going to the three funerals on Saturday.
) Bafana Bafana captain and goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa was shot dead in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni while visiting his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo on Sunday evening.
) Former world champion 800m track sensation Mbulaeni Mulaudzi was killed in a car accident in Mpumalanga on Friday.
) Welterweight boxer Phindile Mwelase died on Saturday after being in a coma for two weeks following a fight.
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