Senzo Meyiwa Biography

Senzo Meyiwa is a South African professional footballer, goalkeeper and captain of the Orlando Pirates Football Club. He is also a part of the South African National Team.

Senzo is one of the most respected and talented footballers in South Africa. However, on the 26th of October 2014, he was shot to death during a home invasion.

Full Name :	Senzo Meyiwa
Date of Birth :	24 September 1987
Place of Birth :	Durban, South Africa
Occupation :	Footballer
Active since :	2002-2014
Spouse :	Mandisa Meyiwa
Net Worth :	$1 million to $5 million dollars.
Social Media Handle :	Instagram: senzomuyiwa

Early Life Meyiwa

Senzo Meyiwa was born on the 24th of September 1987 in Durban, South Africa. He grew up with both of his parents, who guided and care for his basic needs. Senzo attended his primary education in a Private High School and then enrolled at a Private college as well.

Right from his childhood, he loved football and played on his school team. Senzo had always had his parents’ support and until his death, he appreciated them.

Career

Senzo Meyiwa started his football career as a youth team member in London, Cosmos before he eventually joined the Orlando Pirates. At Orlando, he played for the reserve side between the years of 2002 and 2005.

In 2008, he gained the opportunity to impress the main team when he played his debut match for Privates, against AmaZulu and won 2-1 for the team.

In 2012 because of a new Pirate coach, he played fully for Orlando Pirates and he delivered outstandingly. Senzo is known as one of the best penalty stoppers as he had helped his team many times.

Senzo also featured in many international matches. He made his debut match for South Africa on the 2nd of June 2013 in a 2-0 away victory against Lesotho. Senzo was also part of the South African square led by Gordon Igesund for the 2013 African Cup of Nations but he made no appearance at the contest.

In 2015, he qualified to be part of South Africa’s team to play at the 2015 AFCON and he played four times, with his final match being a 0-0 draw against Congo at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

In all his last four games, he was given the captain’s armband when he played in AFCON. He then joined Brian Baloyi and Moeneeb Josephs by being the only goalkeeper that captained Bafana on four occasions without conceding a goal during their captaincy.

Before his death, he became the captain of Orlando and even featured for the South African National team at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON). Senzo’s last football match was on the 25th of October, a win over Telkom Knockout FC. He was a reputable footballer who earned seven international caps with six clean sheets.

Honours

Orlando Pirates

CAF Champions League runner-up (2013)
Telfom Knockout (2011)
MTN 8 (2010, 2011)
Nedbank Cup: (2010–11),( 2013–14)
Premier Soccer League:(2010–11),(2011–12)

Personal Life

Senzo is a 30-year-old married to Mandisa Meyiwa, a career woman. The couple had a lovely union for years until their marriage turned sour because of Senzo’s extramarital affairs. However, Senzo was not keen on hiding his extra-marital affairs with Pop singer Kelly Khumalo, which made his wife bail out of the marriage.

Controversies

In November 2014, it was reported that Senzo had lied about his real age throughout his professional career as a footballer. According to his school register and his tombstone, he was born on the 24th of January 1984, making him 30 years old and not 27 as he claimed at the time of his death.

Senzo Meyiwa Death

Senzo was shot and killed on the 26th of October 2014 in a robbery at his girlfriend’s house in Vosloorus. He was rushed to the hospital in Johannesburg, where he was pronounced dead on his arrival.

The police believed that three people were involved in the shooting and they released images of two of the suspects. Zamokuhle Mbatha was arrested on the 31st of October, as one of the suspects and was charged to court. However, he was released on 11 November 2014 due to a lack of evidence enough to have him convicted.

As a sign of respect, the Soweto Derby due to be played on the 1st of November 2014 was postponed. The Former President, Jacob Zuma mourned the loss and called for Senzo’s murders to be brought to book.

They gave Senzo a state funeral in Durban, at Moses Mabhida Stadium on the 1st of November. His funeral had in attendance, fans and friends, colleagues, football officials, and politicians among others.

As of September 2022, Senzo’s murder trial still continues at the North Gauteng High Court.

Senzo Meyiwa Net Worth

Senzo’s net worth has been growing significantly since he started his football career. His major source is football, and he has an estimated net worth that ranges from $1 million to $5 million dollars.