Sad scenes: Inside Kaizer Chiefs star Luke Fleurs’ touching funeral
People gathered in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, on Saturday, 20 April to bid farewell to the late Kaizer Chiefs star Luke Fleurs.
Mourners gathered at the family home in Westridge before moving to the New Apostolic Church in Tafelsig, where a funeral service was held.
Luke’s father, Theodore Fleurs, told the publication that they decided not to bury their son in the traditional way.
“We’ve decided to have him cremated so he can be at home with us. We will think about what we will do with him. Maybe we will put him in our garden at home. But for now, he will be at home with us,” Theodore said.
Chiefs star Keegan Dolly appeared inconsolable during the funeral as he broke into tears as the coffin left the church.
Kaizer Chiefs players, fans and family members of the late Amakhosi defender Luke Fluers after his funeral in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town. @dailysunsa#Amakhosi4Life #Chiefs #Fluers pic.twitter.com/BSHuextkli
Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Junior told a crowd of Amakhosi fans gathered outside the church that Luke’s death was a great loss to football and the club.
“We are here to support the family at this difficult time. It’s also a difficult time for us as a club,” he said.
Manelisi Sisusa, an avid supporter of Amakhosi, said that as fans they were looking forward to seeing Luke play.
“Even though he did not play for us, we were looking forward to seeing him play. It hurts us because we knew his potential. He was going to be a great player at Chiefs, and he was stolen from us. There’s nothing we can do now but death has robbed us of a star who was even going to play for Bafana Bafana,” said Sisusa.
Vusimzi Sigijimi, the vice chairman of the Shakes Phungwana region in Hermanus, said he travelled an hour and a half to attend the funeral.
“As fans, we love our players even when they are dead. We were always looking forward to seeing Luke play, but God did not allow it and there’s nothing we can do about it,” said Vusimzi.