Tribute to Shirley Kenny-Motsa

HOW I will always cherish that morning in 1 while as *olden )oot Club *)C executive we were tasked with managing the Standard %ank sports day at 81IS:$ that I saw this beautiful woman whom I immediately sought to meet through her then colleague and get her contact numbers. $s soon as our eyes locked through her eye glasses the rest was history and a beginning of our courtship that span 1 years finally getting married in 1 .

I introduced her to running with *)C around 1 from a non-sporting background and fitted like a glove. Soon thereafter we were doing races locally, 0o]ambiTue and South $frica with *)C. She never looked back evidently she was to run her 1 Comrades Mara

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thon this year and get her green number. I miss waiting for you at the Comrades finish line with our boys to cheer you. :e all looked forward to your 1 race.

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In after the formation of 1ewcomm :heels Cycling Club, I got her a bike and trained with her. She was then Moined by the late /ungile 0khabela and they played a big role in encouraging lady cycling in the kingdom. She and /ungile were always on the podium, trophies have no space on the display cabinet.

I will always cherish our last long ride 73km we did from Hhelehhele to Sikhuphe and back on )ebruary . Sadly you won’t be riding with me again in the Pinarello bike your favourite brand which I intended to surprise you with on your birthday $pril .

Thank you Sweets, for being an ambassador for cycling and for 1ewcom :heels as well as volunteering to serve nationally as treasurer of (swatini Cycling $ssociation (C$ .

EAR FOR MUSIC

I noticed very early that you had an ear for music.

:e were already talking about Cape Town -a]] )estival next year. Sometimes you featured on local radio Ja]] slot with Sibonginhlanhla your favourite radio presenter. I miss when you’d call me to identify Ma]] songs you had heard for the first time.

OUR TWO LOVELY BOYS SETHU AND OWETHU

will go to the schools you chose for them and I will support their sports the best I can. I have to do some maMor sacrifices and be more present in their lives. *od help me try to fill this mighty void.

Ncesi Make na babe ngamalukatana wenu, who always gave you company and cooked for you during every Christmas and (aster holidays in Siteki with or without me.

Ngiyacolisa to mother-in-law and Shirley’s brothers for everything I did not do right. Ngiyacela kutsi sibambisane with growing the two boys.

:e have a task to collectively nurture the boys and ensure Shirley’s wishes about their future are met. Parliament must consider revising legislations regarding punishments for such traffic offenders. This can only serve as a deterrent to the road carnage and protection for other road users especially us runners and cyclists. 0y running, cycling and Ja]] will never be the same without you. You were an inspiration to me.

Sleep well S:((T< as you used to address me during our happy moments if only *od would have given us Must another chance to tell and show you how much I loved you. I know I never appreciated you enough. Thank you for loving me even when I did not deserve it.

*ood night Shirley.

(Courtesy pic) Mbusi Motsa (R) with his late wife Shirley Kenny-Motsa.