WHEN the world-renowned American country and pop music singer and astute songwriter Jim Reeves penned the lyrics of his gospel hit song, “This World is Not Our Permanent Home,” the popular mellow baritone-voice singer must have had Reho Falcon Rugby Club in mind.
The Rehoboth-based club and the entire Namibian nation are in shock after the tragic death of four sportsmen.
The quartet of rugby icons Etienne Coetzee, his sons Edmando and Ethan as well as family friend Danzelo ‘Greshlinn’ Bruwer all perished in a catastrophic motor-vehicle accident between Rehoboth and Windhoek, last weekend.
Coetzee senior was the incumbent chairman of Reho Falcon Rugby Club, while his two sons were prominent squad members of the club plying their trade in the country’s top-flight rugby league.
Their heartbreaking transition to eternity follows shortly on the heels of that of another club legend ,Phillipus Auctavius “Thai” Isaacs, and another promising talent Marco Beukes.
It’s now our distinct honour to pay dignified homage to the departed sporting icons, whose precious lives have been abruptly cut short. May their collective souls rest in ancestral power.
THE tragic motor-vehicle accident that claimed the lives of three members of the same family has left the town of Rehoboth in utter shock and disbelief.
FNB Reho Falcon chairman Etienne and the lads were travelling from Windhoek back to their native Rehoboth after attending a premier league rugby match between the Falcons and FNB Wanderers in the capital.
The visitors had suffered a 21-73 defeat at the hands of the fired-up White Stallions.
Admittedly, Etienne has left deep tracks in the annals of Namibian rugby folklore. He was elected vice president of the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) serving the oval ball game with distinction during his tenure at Lichtenstein Strasse.
His genes trickled down to his equally highly-talented sons, as they followed in his footsteps. Both Edmando and Ethan were formidable rugby players, who represented their motherland at junior level on different occasions.
A proud product of the revered Windhoek High School, Edmando was the designated captain of Reho Falcon at the time of his tragic death.
Meanwhile, dozens of messages of condolences streaming in from various sectors of society, including fellow rugby clubs: “We are deeply saddened about the tragic loss that has befallen Reho Falcon Rugby Club.”
“Please accept our heartfelt condolences,” from FNB Western Suburbs and Community. “We were deeply saddened to hear about the tragic loss that has befallen Reho Falcon Rugby Club. Please accept our heartfelt condolences from FNB Wanderers Rugby Club”.
“Our deepest condolences go out to Reho Falcon, friends and family of Etienne as well as Greschlinn Bruwer,” reads a statement from the club.
“Our thoughts are with you in this difficult time, wishing you strength and comfort in the days ahead,” writes Trustco United Rugby Club.
“Dolphin Sports Club would like to extend our sincere condolences to Reho Falcon Rugby Club for the loss of their beloved chairman and his two sons. We grieve with you, the Coetzee, Bruwer and de Koe families. Our thoughts and prayers are with Reho Falcon and their families during this difficult time,” reads a message from Oceana Rugby Club.
A memorial service for the departed Coetzee men will be held at the Dr Lemmer Sport grounds on Sunday. Mourners are requested to bring along camping chairs. The service starts at 17h00.
Rus sagies Danzelao Bruwer
A chip off the old block, Greshlinn was the biological son of former Young Ones, Civics, Wits University Football Clubs and Brave Warriors, agile shot-stopper Danzyl “Dena” Bruwer.
Hardly out of his pair of shorts, the young lad looked destined for the bigger stage, having started his promising sporting journey at Ruimte Primary School in his native town of Rehoboth.
The big-hearted flyhalf showed glimpses of greatness on the rugby field during his formative years, and his amazing talent caught the eye of talent scouts from the revered Windhoek Gymnasium Private School.
Greshlinn was deservedly offered an enticing scholarship to switch over to the posh learning institution, and as they say, the rest is history.
The quick-footed young oval ball chaser established himself as a vital cog in the school’s senior rugby team. Upon completing high school, Greshlinn enrolled at the University of Namibia for a law degree, before changing his mind to pursue a bachelor’s degree in animal husbandry.
Greshlinn played competitive league rugby for the students’ rugby 15s before jumping ship to find refuge with boyhood team Reho Falcon.
His grieving old father described Greshlinn as a very talented, fearless athlete; never shy to roll with the punches on the field of play.
“There’s a saying that dynamite comes in small packages. The boy was small in stature, but very brave. Additionally, his undying commitment, dedication, discipline and undying passion for the game made him a perfect sportsman.
“I’m utterly shocked and devastated by my beloved son’s untimely death, but it was God’s will; what can we do?” sighed a tearful Bruwer senior in a trembling tone of agony.