Cyclist hit by truck, die
MBABANE – The cycling and athletics community is mourning following the passing on of a well-known Cyclist Shirley Motsa.
Motsa tragically died yesterday morning after being hit by a truck.
Motsa, 47, a founding member of the NewComm Wheels Cycling Club, Eswatini Cycling Association (ECA) Treasurer, and a Golden Foot Club member, as well as a Chief Financial Officer at the National Maize Corporation (NMC), met her untimely death while she was taking her morning run along the Manzana Road in Mbabane.
According to close sources, the seasoned cyclist was running alone along the Manzana Road in Mbabane at around 5am.
The source further stated that the truck hit her and dragged her into the drain, resulting in her immediate passing.
PRONOUNCED
Police Inspector Mazwi Ndzimandze confirmed that there was an incident involving a female who was hit by a truck, and was pronounced deceased upon arrival at the Mbabane Government Hospital.
Her husband, Mbusi Motsa, with whom she was married and had two children, confirmed the passing of his wife, expressing shock and being at a loss for words about the incident.
NewComm Wheels Chairman Mduduzi Mkhabela said Shirley was one of the founding members of the club. “She began her cycling journey in 2008. She was a multi-talented athlete and dominated the cycling podium for many years, including the Dups Mafutseni, Nhlangano Road, and Siteki races. She was a very disciplined and committed sportswoman,” said Mkhabela.
The chairman added that she was an inspiration to many women to join cycling as a sport. “We are saddened by her loss. She will be greatly missed by the team at large. Our hearts go out to her family. May the Lord comfort them during this time of difficulty,” said the chairman.
Meanwhile, Golden Foot Club founding member Tokky Hou said they were withholding any comments to the media, as they believed it was premature to discuss the matter at this time. She requested understanding and respect for the privacy of the family during this difficult period.
Eswatini Cycling Association (ECA) President Sifiso ‘Zwide’ Ndwandwe
expressed deep sadness at the tragic passing of their treasurer. “As the Treasurer for the Eswatini Cycling Association, Shirley was not only a dedicated member of our organisation but also a cherished friend and colleague,” Ndwandwe said.
The president stated that Shirley’s vibrant spirit and warm presence brightened every room she entered. “Her firm yet unassuming nature served as an inspiration to all who had the pleasure of knowing her. As a seasoned cyclist, she left an indelible mark on the cycling community, particularly among young women who looked up to her as a beacon of strength and determination on their fitness journeys,” he said.
EMPHASISED
He emphasised that this loss was not only deeply felt within the cycling community, but reverberated throughout the entire sporting landscape of the Kingdom of Eswatini. “Shirley’s passion for her chosen sports, cycling and running, will be sorely missed by all. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her husband, Mbusi Motsa, and her two lovely boys, whom Shirley always prioritised above anything else,” he added.
The president requested that the family be accorded privacy and empathy as they tried to come to terms with the loss. “It is with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to Shirley, a beloved friend whose sudden departure has left us all in shock.”
He concluded by appealing that the family, including Shirley’s mother, her entire family, NewComm Wheels Cycling Club members, and her workmates at the National Maize Corporation, be extended condolences, and may they all find solace in the cherished memories she shared with Shirley and the lasting impact she had on the lives of those around her.