The Nelson Mandela Bay sporting fraternity is in shock following the death of cricketing stalwart Shukri Abrahams in a car crash late on Sunday.
Abrahams, 50, along with his two sons, Shaakir and Ziyaad, were on their way back to Cape Town, where both boys play cricket, when the accident took place.
He died of his injuries, while his sons were injured and taken to hospital, with one of them later being discharged.
Abrahams, familiar in cricket and soccer circles, was actively involved in the sports he loved until his death.
A family member of Abrahams, former EP and Proteas cricketer Shafiek Abrahams, said they grew up together, and shared many wonderful sporting memories.
Shafiek said Abrahams was on his way to Cape Town, where he was set to take up a coaching position.
“He had been involved in sport all his life. We shared a lot of good memories.
“We played cricket together from the age of about 14, and soccer since the age of 10.
“Even when I moved away from soccer to pursue my cricket, he continued his involvement in both,” Shafiek said.
Abrahams, a fast bowler, played cricket for Goodhope Cricket Club at an early age, and also played for the Eastern Province Cricket Association before unification.
Shafiek described him as a leader, who was always at the forefront of the team, motivating players, cracking jokes and also being stern when needed.
“As a soccer player, he was a goalkeeper, someone who commanded his area, and that has certainly filtered down to his children,” Shafiek said.
“He looked after and nurtured his sons so well and they are following in his footsteps, with both of them playing cricket and soccer.
“He played his sport in a time when not much recognition was given, but I think he was one of the most talented sportsmen I’ve played with.”
Eastern Province Cricket president Donovan May said: “It is with regret that we have learnt of the tragic passing of Shukri Abrahams.
“Shukri is a former Eastern Province cricketer who had a tremendous passion for the game and was a tough competitor on the field, whether at provincial or club cricket level.
“We at EP Cricket pass [our] sincere condolences to the family and [hope for] the speedy recovery of his kids.”
United Brothers Cricket Club general secretary Vusumzi Gonya said the news of Abrahams’s death sent a wave of sadness through the club.
Gonya said Abrahams was the caretaker coach of the Zwide club during the absence of head coach Abongile Sodumo and had been in the position since November.
“He was at the game last week Saturday when we played Old Grey.
“He wanted to chat to me, but I was so busy with club stuff I just didn’t get the chance to speak to him,” Gonya said.
He spoke glowingly about Abrahams’s time at the club, saying he would be remembered for his competitive nature and for always wanting to win games, no matter how difficult the situation was.
“We only spent a short time with him, but the players learnt such a lot.
“The boys really started warming up towards him.
“Cricket has lost a massive figure. He was a character many of the younger players could look up to for advice and he would not hesitate to assist wherever he could.”
Police spokesperson Captain Gerda Swart said Abrahams was killed in a head-oncollision between a Corsa car and a horse-and-trailer rig transporting powdered lime to Humansdorp.
“The preliminary investigation has revealed that the Corsa was travelling in the direction from Humansdorp when the collision took place near the Palmietvlei Bridge on the N2,” she said.
“The driver [Abrahams] died on the scene while the two passengers [his sons], aged 21 and 22 years, were taken to Humansdorp Hospital.
“The [truck] was travelling in the opposite direction.
“[It] veered off the road and down an embankment.
“The driver was not seriously injured in the accident.”
Swart said the truck driver gave a statement to police on Monday.
“Kareedouw police are investigating a case of culpable homicide.”