Shock, disbelief at Hansie’s death

Politicians, sportsmen and ordinary South Africans were stunned by the tragic death of former cricket captain Hansie Cronje in an aircraft crash outside George on Saturday morning.

Tributes have poured in from far and wide following the news of his death, including from South Africa’s President Thabo Mbeki, former President Nelson Mandela and Cronje’s former team-mates.

President Thabo Mbeki said: “It is with a sense of shock and disbelief that we have heard of the tragic and untimely death of Hansie Cronje.

“South Africa will mourn him. He was certainly one of our most talented and well-known cricketers whose prowess inspired our youth to greater heights.”

“We shall remember his moments of sheer brilliance on the cricket pitch. We offer his family and the families of those who were with him our deepest condolences.”

Doctors at the scene of the crash confirmed on Saturday afternoon that the former Proteas skipper was among the three dead.

According to Frans Cronje, Cronje’s brother, the Hawker Siddley 748, bound for George, left Bloemfontein at around 4am, but it was unable to land at about 6.45am due to poor weather conditions.

It appears the pilot then tried another approach and in the process, the plane crashed into a mountain in the rugged Outeniqua range at an altitude of about 1 000 metres.

The crash site was just off the Outeniqua Pass, between George and Oudtshoorn.

The former Proteas captain fell from grace when he accepted bribes in a bribery scandal two years ago, he was subsequently banned from participating in the game he loved.

But on Saturday he was showered with accolades by former cricket colleagues and friends.

Boxing champion Jacob “Baby Jake” Matlala was on Saturday left “speechless” by the death of Hansie Cronje who had interested him in the game of cricket. The two were fellow worshippers at Rhema Church.

Matlala said: “I know that we are all going to die one day but his sudden death was just too soon. He taught me about cricket and in fact second to boxing it became a favourite sport for me.”

The United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) said they were shocked and saddened by his death.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Hansie’s wife Bertha, his parents Ewie and San-Marie and the whole family,” UCBSA President Percy Sonn said in a statement.

“Hansie was an excellent cricketer and a very popular and successful captain, who led his team to some great achievements and who gave much to cricket in this country during his career,” Sonn said.

United Cricket Board (UCB) Selector Pat Symcox said: “I will miss him. I used to call him and ask him to his opinions. South Africa and Cronje’s family has lost a great man.”

CEO of the cricket board Gerald Majola said Hansie would be missed by his former team-mates and management, as well as by cricket administrators and the South African public.

“We were all terribly sad to hear the news today,” he said.

Ali Bacher, executive director of the International Cricket Council World Cup 2003, said: “I was very close to Hansie Cronje throughout his cricket playing career. I was very close to him from the time he emerged as a young cricketer with a certain international future.

“He was a natural born leader of men and his greatest attribute was his terrific ability to inspire and motivate his team-mates.

“My heart goes out to his parents, his wife Bertha, and the Cronje family.’

Ron Steele, representative for Pastor Ray McCauley, said that McCauley had been informed of the tragedy by Cronje’s relatives early on Saturday morning and he had been very shocked by the news. He had pledged to be there for the family during this difficult time.

SA cricket captain Shaun Pollock was told the news during a game and had to leave the field in England because of the shock.

His wife Trish said: “He needed time to recover. He is in the changeroom and I do not think he can talk to the press right now. He needs a few hours to recover.”

New National Party (NNP) Leader Marthinus van Schalkwyk described Hansie Cronje as an excellent individual.

“He had the kind of personality that people were willing to forgive.”

The Democratic Alliance chief whip Douglas Gibson said: “What a sad ending this brilliant young man has had. Many South Africans mourned his downfall but many more will mourn his death.”

The Minister of Sport and Recreation Ngconde Balfour in a statement said: “The circumstances surrounding Cronje’s death can only be described as tragic and his passing is a tremendous loss to his family and our country.

“On behalf of the entire South African sports movement and the government I wish to covey heartfelt condolences to his wife and family as well as to the families of the others killed.”

“Hansie established himself as a sports leader of note. He brought much joy into the cricketing lives of many South Africans, and despite being out of cricket, he reamined an influential and sought after figure.

“It is generally acknowledged that Hansie was a popular captain of the national cricket team and played a tremendous role on the development of a number of players. His death is mourned with sadness.” – Sapa