Your Government Needs You

• Author: Nkosinathi Nhleko

Words cannot describe the anger and pain I felt when I heard about the death of Senzo Meyiwa. His death at the hands of callous murderers has robbed his family of a humble father and our nation of a rising sports star.

It is sobering to think that only a few weeks before his untimely death, Senzo Meyiwa captained Bafana Bafana in the crucial African Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo.

At a time like this, sport fades into insignificance; what matters now is our collective grief and the search for answers.

Meyiwa’s death has robbed our nation of a hero, for he was the embodiment of all that is good about our country, particularly in his sport excellence. We are terribly saddened by his death, yet stand heartened that all South Africans are united in their condemnation and outrage at the senseless of it.

We are confident that the South African Police Service (SAPS) will not rest until those who are responsible face the full might of the law. The task team set up by National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega is following several leads already and will not rest until his killers are brought to book.

The tributes for him that have flooded social media give us courage and strength at this time of great sorrow. He is no longer with us, but his legend lives on in the hearts, minds and memories of all who had the privilege to watch him play.

Senzo Meyiwa was a rare talent whose ability and big match temperament set him apart. The news of his death reverberated all over the world, with the great Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard, tweeting:

“RIP Senzo Meyiwa, the South African captain who was tragically shot dead earlier today. My prayers go to his family. You’ll never walk alone!!” Unbeknownst to many of us, he was already our ambassador, carrying the flag high for the country he served with distinction.

President Jacob Zuma echoed the mood of the nation on the news of Meyiwa’s death saying: “We mourn the death of this young footballer and team leader whose life has been taken away at the prime of his career. The law enforcement authorities must leave no stone unturned in finding his killers and bring them to justice. Words cannot express the nation's shock at this loss.”

The government is aware that words alone at a time like this are not enough. The calls for action by...