Tears flow in tributes to hero Sanders
HUNDREDS of family members, friends and colleagues yesterday gathered at the Wonderpark NG church in Pretoria North, to say their final goodbye to former heavyweight boxing champion Corrie Sanders.
Tears flowed freely as the gentle giant’s coffin was carried into church, with his brother Mike and his son Dean, leading the way. A slide show depicted Sanders as a man who enjoyed life and clearly adored his family and friends.
In a tribute, Darren Scott described Sanders as a man who had died while making the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life to protect his daughter.
Sanders died just over a week ago after being shot during an armed robbery. He was attending his nephew, Michael’s 21st birthday party at the Thatch Haven Country Lodge in Brits when three armed men stormed in firing at random. Sanders was hit in the hand and stomach. He was rushed to hospital where he died of his injuries.
It was said Sanders shielded the body of his 15-year-old daughter Marinique.
The three men, who have since been arrested, appeared in the Brits Magistrate’s Court while mourners were saying their final goodbyes.
Scott continued to say that boxing did not define Corrie Sanders, it was not his passion and he would have traded the gloves for the clubs (golf) any day.
“He was one of the most consistent people I ever knew. He was such a lekker, down-toearth, awesome oke and I can still hear him saying, ‘Hallo Soutie, you are going to get a hiding today’,” Scott said.
Scott described Sanders as a man who would give his last penny to make someone else happy.
“He was always willing to contribute to any charity or cause and he literally helped raise millions for charities. He gave some of his own memorabilia to assist when he was struggling to make ends meet,” Scott said, adding that the past few years had been difficult for Sanders.
“He never once asked for help. He did not want to burden family and friends with his problems. If you were happy, Corrie was happy. He treated young and old with respect and never had an agenda,” Scott said.
Former colleague and close friend Kallie Knoetze thanked numerous sporting personalities who included former Springbok captain Joost van der Westhuizen and Blue Bulls president Louis Nel for attending the funeral.
As former boxer Knoetze wiped tears from his eyes he said the reason he never became a world champion was because he cried too easily.
Golfing legend Gary Player sent his condolences via a note.
Sanders’ family paid tribute via personal letters written to him. His sister Ruby, who came from Australia for his funeral, wrote: “You were one in a million, it was a blessing to have you as my brother. You were unique.”
Former Springbok rugby player Naas Botha said Sanders was even better than the tributes given.
“My fondest memory of him were the regular visits at home. He was taken so unnecessarily, he was truly a remarkable man and a champion. Few people can say that,” he said.