Multitudes Bid �The President� Farewell
Koketso Kgoboge | Monday May 8, 2017 16:13
The player collapsed and passed on at training in what is suspected to be heart failure two Fridays back. His body viewing saw hundreds of grief stricken people file past his coffin to pay their last respects.
The funeral service took place at his grandmother’s house and numerous speakers took turns to share their memories of the star. Her mother gave her heartfelt tribute that somehow was consoling to Tiro’s supporters. She said Tiro’s passing is proof that death indeed exist. She reiterated her words that she is consoled by the fact that his son passed on doing what he loved the most.
“It is not his body I am concerned about, it is his soul,” she said.
“We must not point fingers because if we do his soul will not rest. We have accepted that our son has passed on. What I did not realise as many others didn’t until today, is that we including the village of Gulubane had raised a ‘president’ that would touch the nation so hard. It shows possibilities are limitless.”
Rollers management, coach, players and supporters in their speeches shared a similar wish of winning the title for Tiro, who died at the age of 26. Club chairperson, Walter Kgabung said as a sign of respect Tiro’s jersey number will be retired.
“His jersey number will be kept as a memorial at Rollers and it will never be used again. We have come here to lay to rest not only a colleague, but a soldier who passed on in the line of duty and fighting for us,” he said.
On behalf of the players, Tshepo Motlhabankwe who had his eyes buried under shades, was not hesitant to show his emotions.
“My tears are dropping, although they cannot be seen. Personally, as an older player, it is young players like Tiro that helps to keep me relevant.
He did what he could with me at training, but it helped me at the games against youngsters his age. We will forever remember him and may his soul rest in peace,” he said in his brief speech.
His former mentor at Uniao Flamingo Santos where he started his footballing career, Sexton Kowa could not hold back his tears.
“He is a good example of the children we saved and we will forever be proud of him. He will save us. He has given me a reason not to fear death, I don’t want to die in a hospital, not in a car accident but I also wish to die on a football pitch,” he said breaking down in tears.
The player’s coffin was carried by his Gulubane Sporting Club playmates to their home team’s ground before they handed it to the Rollers players who carried the coffin on their shoulders for nearly a kilometre to his final resting place at the Chume ward cemetery. The ball he last kicked before his passing was buried with his coffin.