A visit to a quarry with several other amakwetha and young boys to wash the futha (white clay) off their bodies to symbolise their last week in the bush turned to tragedy
A talented young township cricketer, who wined and dined with some of the game’’s biggest stars at Lords Cricket Ground in England earlier this year, has been hailed a hero after he drowned trying to rescue a friend.
Traumatised teenagers recalled how they watched helplessly on Monday afternoon as Masixole “Hassan” Mkrakra, 20, gave a two litre bottle he was using to stay afloat to a struggling friend before disappearing underwater in a disused Bathurst quarry.
Breaking down in tears, Moyisi Blou, 19, said he was battling to come to terms with watching rescuers pull his best friend’’s lifeless body out of the murky water hours after he disappeared.
“There were about 20 youngsters at the quarry when Hassan went under. Everyone was crying when he disappeared, we were very scared. I am still having horrible nightmares everytime I think about it,” he sobbed.
Family explained how plans to have a homecoming party for Mkrakra this weekend to celebrate his passage to manhood after his recent circumcision had now been replaced by funeral arrangements.
An orphan who was being raised by his grandmother Malungelo Gesi, 54, Mkrakra drew a standing ovation at the hallowed Long Room at Lords in March this year when he told Prince Edward, tennis great Boris Bekker, Bok rugby captain John Smith and a who’’s who of cricketers about the dreams and aspirations of dozens of impoverished youngsters playing cricket for the award-winning Tiger Titans team set up by farmer's son Ross McCreath.
Blou said a visit to the quarry with several other amakwetha and young boys to wash the futha (white clay) off their bodies to symbolise their last week in the bush turned to tragedy when Masixole and a few friends decided to use empty two litre bottles as floats so they could go for a swim.
“I warned them not to swim, but it was hot and everyone was having a good time.
“Another amakwetha, Anele, started slipping under when Masixole gave him one of the two bottles he had and said: 'take it to save yourself' before going under. Anele survived.”
Tributes for Mkrakra poured in from all over South Africa.
Presidents Award South Africa head Martin Scholtz said: “Having had the privilege of going with Masixole to London in March where he got a standing ovation for his speech reflecting on the impact of The President's Award and the Tiger Titans on his life, I feel enormous sadness at this tragedy”.
Tiger Titans coach Duduzi Mkalipi said several of the almost 100 members of the award winning cricket team were in need of counselling as they struggled to come to terms with Hassan’’s sudden death.
“He was Mr Tiger Titans, a real inspiration for everyone to reach for their dreams despite the hardships they faced. Everyone looked up to Hassan.”
Anne “Mama Tiger” McCreath — who has worked tirelessly for years behind the scenes to keep the team her son Ross founded going — said friends and family of the inspiring young cricketer were “absolutely traumatised” by his sudden death.
“He made such a huge impression wherever he went and people loved him for overcoming the odds to become a success. He was our golden boy who earned the respect of everyone he met.”
His funeral will take place in Bathurst’s Nolukhanyo Township on Saturday — the day he was meant to return home from the bush as a man.
Daily Dispatch
Cricket 'golden boy' dies while trying to save friend
A visit to a quarry with several other amakwetha and young boys to wash the futha (white clay) off their bodies to symbolise their last week in the bush turned to tragedy
A talented young township cricketer, who wined and dined with some of the game’’s biggest stars at Lords Cricket Ground in England earlier this year, has been hailed a hero after he drowned trying to rescue a friend.
Traumatised teenagers recalled how they watched helplessly on Monday afternoon as Masixole “Hassan” Mkrakra, 20, gave a two litre bottle he was using to stay afloat to a struggling friend before disappearing underwater in a disused Bathurst quarry.
Breaking down in tears, Moyisi Blou, 19, said he was battling to come to terms with watching rescuers pull his best friend’’s lifeless body out of the murky water hours after he disappeared.
“There were about 20 youngsters at the quarry when Hassan went under. Everyone was crying when he disappeared, we were very scared. I am still having horrible nightmares everytime I think about it,” he sobbed.
Family explained how plans to have a homecoming party for Mkrakra this weekend to celebrate his passage to manhood after his recent circumcision had now been replaced by funeral arrangements.
An orphan who was being raised by his grandmother Malungelo Gesi, 54, Mkrakra drew a standing ovation at the hallowed Long Room at Lords in March this year when he told Prince Edward, tennis great Boris Bekker, Bok rugby captain John Smith and a who’’s who of cricketers about the dreams and aspirations of dozens of impoverished youngsters playing cricket for the award-winning Tiger Titans team set up by farmer's son Ross McCreath.
Blou said a visit to the quarry with several other amakwetha and young boys to wash the futha (white clay) off their bodies to symbolise their last week in the bush turned to tragedy when Masixole and a few friends decided to use empty two litre bottles as floats so they could go for a swim.
“I warned them not to swim, but it was hot and everyone was having a good time.
“Another amakwetha, Anele, started slipping under when Masixole gave him one of the two bottles he had and said: 'take it to save yourself' before going under. Anele survived.”
Tributes for Mkrakra poured in from all over South Africa.
Presidents Award South Africa head Martin Scholtz said: “Having had the privilege of going with Masixole to London in March where he got a standing ovation for his speech reflecting on the impact of The President's Award and the Tiger Titans on his life, I feel enormous sadness at this tragedy”.
Tiger Titans coach Duduzi Mkalipi said several of the almost 100 members of the award winning cricket team were in need of counselling as they struggled to come to terms with Hassan’’s sudden death.
“He was Mr Tiger Titans, a real inspiration for everyone to reach for their dreams despite the hardships they faced. Everyone looked up to Hassan.”
Anne “Mama Tiger” McCreath — who has worked tirelessly for years behind the scenes to keep the team her son Ross founded going — said friends and family of the inspiring young cricketer were “absolutely traumatised” by his sudden death.
“He made such a huge impression wherever he went and people loved him for overcoming the odds to become a success. He was our golden boy who earned the respect of everyone he met.”
His funeral will take place in Bathurst’s Nolukhanyo Township on Saturday — the day he was meant to return home from the bush as a man.
Daily Dispatch
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos