Hansie Cronje’s untimely death in a plane crash was described by former president Nelson Mandela on Saturday as ”one of those pieces of human tragedy that leaves us shocked and uncomprehending”.
”He was a young man, courageously and with dignity, rebuilding his life after the setback he suffered a while ago,” Mandela said in a statement in Johannesburg.
Cronje will be remembered as one of those outstanding young South African leaders that we were blessed with in our national sporting life.
”He had the potential to become a leader in other areas of our national life, and we are now sadly robbed of those talents and skills he possessed so abundantly,” he said.
Mandela sent his condolences to his wife Bertha, parents Ewie and San-Marie and the rest of Cronje’s family.
”They are in our thoughts in these very sad times of loss and bereavement,” he said. – Sapa