Messages of condolences are still pouring in for soccer star Luke Fleurs, 24, who was killed during a hijacking in Johannesburg last week. Yesterday, police in Gauteng arrested six suspects in connection with the killing while the vehicle, already stripped, was recovered on Monday.

The image of the cool kid with the funky dreads and infectious smile will forever be etched in the minds of football fans, friends and family, who are currently in Johannesburg, trying to make sense of a senseless act and to attend memorial services held in his honour.

Mitchell’s Plain born and bred, Fleurs was a rising star on the SA soccer scene and news of his untimely death sent shockwaves around the country and around the world. According to reports, Fleurs was shot and killed by two armed men at a garage in Florida, Roodepoort, around 8.30pm on Wednesday April 3, with the suspects driving off in his red VW Golf 8 GTI.

Speaking on behalf of the family, his father, Theodore Fleurs, a long-time soccer coach at Aloe High in Mitchell’s Plain, said the family were still struggling to come to terms with what happened and would issue a statement at a later stage.

A talented defender named 2021/2022 PSL player of the year during his stint with SuperSport before joining Kaizer Chiefs in October last year, young Fleurs went from schoolboy and club footie in the Mitchell’s Plain High Schools soccer league and Parkhurst United to playing at the highest levels.

In 2013, he joined Fish Hoek-based Ubuntu Football Academy and made his first National First Division (NFD) debut aged 17 before signing a long-term contract with SuperSport United in 2018.

A former national under-23 player, Fleurs represented the country at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo and was called up to the national side.

From left, Luke Fleurs, Ubuntu Football Academy executive director, Casey Prince and Jesse Donn.

Ubuntu executive director, and co-founder, Casey Prince, first met Fleurs in 2012 when he spotted him as a 12 year-old playing for the Mitchell’s Plain Board Team at an inter-LFA competition. A year later he joined the Fish Hoek outfit following trials and being offered a place.

“He was a pioneer throughout. Our first to play pro. The first to make the national team. First to sign in the PSL. First to go on trial. Paved the way for all the success we’ve had since then,” said Prince.

“He played in our first Bayhill Premier Cup Team, first to make the under-17 national team where he played many times and played for the under-20 national team.

Luke Fleurs, far right with some of his teammates ahead of a game during his time with Ubuntu. Also pictured are, from left, Rodwill Bezuidenhout, Duncan Adonis, Thato Sefoli and Matthew Arendse.

“What makes Luke special was his personality and his love of people. Everyone was drawn to Luke, it didn’t matter their age, race, or gender— they just wanted to be around him. And he never thought he was too big for people.

“Even down to his first year playing pro football in our NFD side, but still living at the Ubuntu House with his friends, and the youngest guys (now our matrics) hung on every word he said. He was always a big brother to them. That personality spread to the pitch in the fluid way he played the game,” said Prince.

Luke Fleurs with teammates Brandon Williams and Taariq Ganga ahead of their first national team camp invitation.

“One of my favourite conversations with him and his teammate Taariq happened when they were 15 years old. They were challenging me to not be so ‘vocal’ on the sidelines as a coach. I agreed that we would come up with a code word they could use to ask me to calm down, because telling your coach to ‘calm down’ probably wouldn’t work and would sound disrespectful. We decided that word would be ‘kaas’. It’s funny, would make me giggle, and then hopefully change the mood.

“That’s the kind of relationship we had. Always sharing real stuff. He was perceptive and would ask great questions. And he wasn’t scared to admit when he didn’t know something or understand something I said, so we would clarify. I’m going to miss that,” said Prince.

Cape Town Tygerberg LFA general secretary and current chairman of Rygersdal FC, Justin Asher, also got to know Fleurs during his time with Ubuntu.

“I actually met Luke years ago on the field as he was a junior for Fish Hoek, playing as ‘Ubuntu’ back then but under the Fish Hoek name,” said Asher.

“Chatty, always smiling and the joker. He loved photos. I had to send him all his photos and videos every week. Not from the game, from the change room and warm-up. He brought the vibe but was most humble and respectful.

“His legacy is what young kids aspire to be. He’s proof that hard work and dedication gets you places and that people respect you if you remain humble,” Asher said.

“Luke’s was a life stolen too early,” said Shawn Buck, Fleurs’ former house manager and director of development during his time at Ubuntu.

“I’ve known him for nearly 12 years, we lived together for four years at Ubuntu House and had many adventures together,” said Buck

“He was silly, but could get very serious. He was curious, but assured. His smile was as cheeky as possible.

“He was always bringing laughter to things and he had the best infectious laugh,” said Buck.

Luke Fleurs joined SuperSport United in 2018 before joining Kaizer Chiefs in October last year.

#johannesburg

Chef writes erotic coming-of-age story

Author launches updated memoir

Book peeks into the minds of murderers

Book explores nation’s soul

Book review: When Love Kills

Book review: The Hidden

Luke Fleurs – a life stolen