Mourning those who died in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash

The news of the death of Kobe Bryant and all who were with him, including his daughter, is devastating.

We may be a long way from the United States, but sport breaks barriers and his electrifying performances on the basketball court thrilled us wherever we were (and reminded me of my own short stint at Turfloop dabbling in basketball).

The tragic deaths in that helicopter crash sadden us in South Africa and we send our condolences to all the families affected. May those who died rest in peace and rise in glory.

Archbishop Thabo Makgoba

January 28: Since this message was first published, it has been drawn to my attention that a serious allegation of sexual assault was made against Kobe Bryant 16 years ago, when he was 24, and later settled out of court. We take such matters very seriously in our church and pray for healing for the victim. At the same time, the episode should not detract from our focus at this time on the pain of the families of all nine people who died in the crash. ++Thabo