Johannesburg - A part of me feels that the Soweto Derby should have been allowed to go on in honour of Senzo Meyiwa. The country’s biggest football match, played as a farewell to the country’s senior national team captain - wouldn’t that have made sense?
I imagine an FNB Stadium packed to the rafters paying homage to South Africa’s departed number one and skipper in our own very special way - vuvuzelas blown in unison, chants and those highly creative messages displayed on placards adorned with pictures of Senzo in acrobatic action or his face beaming with that infectious smile of his.
All of us would stand in his honour ahead of the kick-off for a moment’s silence, each of the 90 000 plus inside the arena, as well as the players, technical team members and officials and dignitaries on the pitch reminiscing on their own Senzo memory. Most of those would be of his heroics for the Buccaneers, especially during last year’s Champions League run that ended in the final. Others would be of his most recent sterling performances for Bafana Bafana.
It is through football, after all, that Senzo was catapulted into all of our lives and through this beautiful game we should have bid him goodbye. And it doesn’t come more beautiful than the Soweto Derby, does it?
In having the Derby played this weekend too, we would have been sending a message to the criminal element that is tormenting the country that “you can take some of us away but you can’t stop us from going on”.
Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza pleaded on Monday that the media use its power to help the law enforcement get those responsible for Senzo’s death behind bars, while letting the criminals know that we are united in ensuring that such senseless killings are done away with.
Imagine this message being sent out on Derby Day - the country’s biggest sporting event that captivates millions. Surely the impact would be that much more powerful, especially were Lucky Lekgwathi and Itumeleng Khune to give an emotional address to those gathered at the stadium and the millions watching on telly and listening on radio.
The Derby has been postponed though, and with good reason too. For as I said, this is but a part of me that feels the match should have gone on. Another part totally understands how important it is to show the Meyiwa family that football feels their pain and not playing the match is one way to do that.
Besides, the emotions of both sides’ players might just be too raw for them to perform on Saturday.
Rest in Peace Senzo, you left an indelible mark on the country’s football.
The Star