Update
GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - At the memorial service for Ayakha Xalisa (18) on 27 July at the Masizakhe Community Hall, friends and family described the youngster as dedicated, disciplined and talented - a young man who wanted to accomplish great things in life.
Xalisa, a grade 12 learner from the Nqweba Secondary School, died after collapsing during a football game on 15 July. According to the family the autopsy showed that he had a lung infection that caused his death.
Xalisa played for Portugal Birds, and will be remembered as a passionate football player. "Ayakha was a gallant, brave youngster who lived life to the fullest - a well-balanced life in sport and academic," said Zanovuyo Mdingi, headmaster of Nqweba.
He attended Thembalesizwe Primary School and actively played football from the age of seven.
Xalisa was buried on Saturday 29 July.
In a letter his close friend, Asihle Sweli, wrote the following: "I'm really sad, and not okay.
Not because I lost a friend, but also because of all the things he told me he'd wanna accomplish in the coming future. Who's going to be the best defender now? I don't know why he made 15 July to be his last day without allowing me to make it the best day he had ever had or allow me to say my final goodbyes. We have really lost, we have really lost, we've lost a humble, if not the humblest person, he was a people's person."
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The coffin being carried to Ayakha Xalisa's parents house.
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