Who was Senzo Meyiwa? Career, Death & Private Life

Senzo Meyiwa (24 January 1984 – 26 October 2014) was a South African professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He captained both Orlando Pirates in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and the South Africa national team (Bafana Bafana).

Biography: Senzo Meyiwa

Real Name: Senzo Robert Meyiwa

Place of Birth: Durban, South Africa

Date of Birth: 24 January 1984

Date of Death: 26 October 2014

Occupation: Professional Footballer

Teams: Orlando Pirates, Bafana Bafana (SA National Team)

Years Active: 2005 to 2014

Positions: Goalkeeper

Spouse(s): Mandisa Mkhize, Kelly Khumalo (girlfriend)

Children: 1

Nationality: South African

Early Life and Background

Senzo Robert Meyiwa was born in Durban, South Africa (specifically linked to areas like Umlazi and Chesterville in KwaZulu-Natal). He came from a modest background and moved to Johannesburg around age 13 to pursue football opportunities with Orlando Pirates. His youth career began with London Cosmos before joining Pirates’ youth setup in 2002. ^[1]

He reportedly lied about his age during his professional career, listing it as 24 September 1987 (making him appear three years younger). His actual birthdate, confirmed via tombstone and school records after his death, was 24 January 1984, meaning he was 30 at the time of his passing. ^[2]

Career of Senzo Meyiwa

Club Career (Orlando Pirates)

Meyiwa joined Orlando Pirates as a youth player and spent his entire senior career there from 2005 until his death in 2014, making 109 league appearances (0 goals, as a goalkeeper).

Early years (2005–2012): He started as a backup to established keepers like Francis Chansa and later Moeneeb Josephs. His senior debut came on 8 November 2006 against AmaZulu in a 2-1 win. He showed patience and loyalty, waiting for opportunities rather than seeking moves elsewhere.

Breakthrough (2012–2014): Injuries to Josephs and coaching changes (including interim Augusto Palacios and Roger De Sa) gave him a consistent run. By 2013, after Josephs left, Meyiwa became the first-choice keeper. He performed notably in continental competitions, saving two penalties against TP Mazembe in the 2013 CAF Champions League (though Pirates lost the match 1-0, they advanced on aggregate). Pirates reached the final but lost 3-1 on aggregate to Al Ahly.

Captaincy (2014): Coach Vladimir Vermezović appointed him club captain in his final games after the regular captain was sidelined. His last match was a 4-1 Carling Knockout Cup win over Ajax Cape Town on 25 October 2014.

With Pirates, he won multiple domestic trophies: Premier Soccer League titles (2010–11, 2011–12), Nedbank Cup (2010–11, 2013–14), MTN 8 (2010, 2011), and Telkom Knockout (2011). He was part of a successful era for the club. ^[3]

International Career

Meyiwa earned 7 caps for South Africa between 2013 and 2014, keeping 6 clean sheets. He debuted on 2 June 2013 against Lesotho (substitute appearance in a 2-0 win). He was in the squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations but did not play.

He rose prominently during 2015 AFCON qualifiers under coach Shakes Mashaba, captaining the side in his last four matches (two wins, two draws, no goals conceded). This placed him alongside Brian Baloyi and Moeneeb Josephs as goalkeepers who captained Bafana Bafana without conceding in that role. His final international was a 0-0 draw against Congo on 15 October 2014. ^[4]

Personal Life of Senzo Meyiwa

Meyiwa was married to Mandisa Mkhize (they had a daughter together), but the marriage was reportedly estranged at the time of his death. He was in a high-profile relationship with South African singer and actress Kelly Khumalo, with whom he had a daughter. They lived together, and reports indicated he planned to divorce his wife and marry Khumalo. ^[5]

The relationship drew significant media attention and public scrutiny, especially after his death, with cultural and family tensions noted (e.g., his family reportedly barring Khumalo from aspects of the funeral arrangements). Meyiwa was described as a humble man from a tough background who rose to become a national figure. ^[6]

Death and Legacy

On 26 October 2014, Meyiwa was shot and killed during a home invasion/robbery at Kelly Khumalo‘s mother’s house in Vosloorus, east of Johannesburg. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. The incident involved multiple assailants and sparked widespread outrage over South Africa’s high crime rates. ^[7]

Tributes poured in from President Jacob Zuma, FIFA’s Sepp Blatter, Iker Casillas, and many others. The Soweto Derby was postponed. He received a state funeral on 1 November 2014 at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, attended by football dignitaries, politicians, and fans. He was buried in Chesterville, KwaZulu-Natal. His father Samuel’s emotional gesture at the funeral (leaning out of a car with arms outstretched) became an internet meme/trend. ^[8]

Five men were arrested and charged with his murder in 2020. As of 2026, the trial remains ongoing in the High Court in Pretoria, with ongoing proceedings, witness testimonies, and defense arguments. ^[9]

Meyiwa is remembered as a talented, patient goalkeeper who embodied loyalty and rose to captaincy through hard work. His death at a young age highlighted issues of crime and violence in South Africa while cementing his status as a beloved figure in South African football. A biography detailing his life has also been published, drawing from family and colleagues’ accounts. ^[6]