The 1995 World Cup final was the most momentous game in the history of rugby union, the match that helped unite Nelson Mandela’s new South Africa. At the heart of the Springboks’ 15-12 victory over the side many consider to be the greatest ever New Zealand team was the scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen. Van der Westhuizen is perhaps second only to Wales’s Gareth Edwards in the pantheon of leading scrum-halves.

Van der Westhuizen, who has died of motor neurone disease aged 45, gave the pass that June day in Johannesburg for Joel Stransky to kick his winning drop-goal in extra time. But it was his tackle on the fearsome Jonah Lomu, who was in full flight, that sticks in the memory and at the game’s final scrum close to the All Blacks’ try-line it was Van der Westhuizen who was helping push the New Zealand pack backwards as the seconds ticked away.

Van der Westhuizen was a very different scrum-half from Edwards. He was quick but, at 6ft 1in and over 14 stone, he was also supremely physical, in many ways a ninth forward. He was such a ferocious competitor that he played in the 1995 final with a broken rib after a tackle from France’s Abdelatif Benazzi in the semi-final in Durban a week earlier. The debate continues over whether that on-the-field daring contributed to the disease with which he was diagnosed in 2011.

Son of Mariana and Gustav, Joost was born in Pretoria and at school in Transvaal his exceptional athletic talent was obvious. After leaving the University of Pretoria, he joined a provincial team, the Blue Bulls, and soon began to attract the attention of the national selectors who were trying to build a side that would contest the first World Cup in which South Africa would compete after their isolation in the apartheid era, a World Cup on home soil.

He made his international debut against Argentina in Buenos Aires in 1993, but the following year was still struggling to establish his place in the side that would win the World Cup. When the Springboks travelled to Wales, Scotland and Ireland, there were many places still in the balance and Johan Roux was considered the country’s leading No 9. But Roux missed the tour through injury and the young man grasped his chance with both hands. – The Guardian UK

 

It is with profound sadness and humble acceptance of God’s will that we announce the passing on of Mzee George Omani Nyayiemi of Chitago village, Nyankoba sub – location, Nyamira County.

Loving husband of Mellen Kemunto. Son of the late Nyayiemi Mairura and Kerubo Nyayiemi. Father of Mary Nyagero, the late Duke Nyayiemi. Florence Moraa, Lakham Matwere, Nicolas Mokaya, Evans Otwoma, Ronald Obwoge, Hezron Nyakundi, Irene Mokeira, Faith Moraa and Johnson Ayuka. Brother of the late Nyambane, the late Onderi, the late Mainga, the late Nyakerario, Nyakina, Mong’ina. Bosire, Joel. Kemunto among others.

Cousin of Mainga. Bosire, Mogeni, Bikundo, and the late Nyakang’o, Nyambane, Gwako, Mbaka,and Mogonchi among many. Uncle of Ong’eru, Jeremiah. Mageusi, Nick. Daktari Bosire,. Misoi, Gichaba, Osoro. Peter, Samuel, Mairura, Ndege, Makabe (U.S.A), Engineer Patrice and Gladson. Kebande, josephat. Evans, Nyanchama, Obungu among others. Brother-in-law of Mokaya, Paustina. Nyaboke and the late Onkoba, Nyambane and Ayuka. Korera of the late Orina, the late Omwario, the late Mutinda, the late Nyaega, Okong’o, Mong’ei, Kamanda, Kamanda among others. Father-in-law of Jackson Orina, Lameck Nyaega, Josephat Kumenda, Catherene, Monicah, Risper, Janet, Jane, and Wakio. Grandfather of Faith Moraa, Emily, Gaudencia, Nyanduko’s, Duke, Ian, Mercy, Harriet, Emanuel among others. Semo of the late Obebo and Daudi.

Family and friends will be meeting on Tuesday 7th February 2017 at Professional Centre Room I for fund-raising. The cortege leaves Gucha Funeral Home (Keroka) on Wednesday 8th February 2017. Burial will be at his home in Chitago village. Nyankoba Sub-location, Nyamira County on Thursday 9th February 2017.

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more mourning or crying or pain…. Rev 21:4’

Sunrise: 1st August 1942

 Sunset: 27th January 2017

It is with humble acceptance of God’s will that we announce the passing of Mrs. Lydia Karura Njoroge.

Daughter of the late Patrick Kuria Lawi and the late Gladwell Gathoni. Beloved wife of the late Geoffrey Gathenji Njoroge (GG) of Ondiri Farm, Kikuyu. Mother of Richard Njoroge, Patrick Kuria, John Mburu, Susan Wanjiku and Lisa Allison Gathoni. Sister of the late Mary Wambui, the late James Paul Iguku, Elizabeth Merl and Margaret Wanjiru Linsley. Daughter-in-law of the late Richard Njoroge Kabaa and the late Esther Wanjiku Gathenji. Sister-in-law of the late John Kabaa, Margaret Wambui Kiambuthi, the late Joan Wairimu Thiong’o, the late Henry Kuria, the late Nancy Nyambura and Mercy Wamaitha Ndegwa. Mother-in-law of Catherine Wambui. Grandmother of Gathenji Njoroge, Ndung’u and Karura. Aunty to many.

Prayer meetings are being held daily at her home at Ondiri Farm, Kikuyu. A memorial service will take place on Sunday 5th February 2017 at 2pm at the same venue.

The cortege leaves Lee Funeral Home on Tuesday 7th February 2017 at 7am for the burial and service at 11am at Ondiri Farm (GG’s farm), Kikuyu.

 

27/09/1991 – 29/01/2017

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the untimely death of Irene Mbithe Kioko on 29th January 2017 following tragic road accident at Syokimau along Mombasa Rroad. Loving daughter of the late Morris Kioko and the late Grace Nduku. Fiancee of Charles Juma.

Granddaughter of Grace Mueni Mutiiki, the late Gabriel Ngulukyo and the late Monica Kavuli. Niece of Antony Kamitu (Police Headquarters), Mutua Ngulukyo, Kisingu Ngulukyo, Mbithi Ngulukyo, Roman Muthusi, James Ngulukyo (M.O.E & Petroleum), Fredrick Musomba, Peter Ngulukyo, Elizabeth Munyao, Victoria Mwikali, Mbuve Ngulukyo, Joseph Mwanzia.

Cousin of Clementine Mueni, Peter Mutuku- Mutua, Victoria Wavinya, Grace Nduku, Veronica Kalekye, Terry Kavuli, Cosmas Kamitu, Michael Mzee, Nicholus Musomba. Kyule Mike, Nzisa, Ruth Mwende, Monica Kavuli, Sarah Mutua, Muia, Maggy Wayua. Lisa, Nyiva, Kiume, Gabriel, Emmanuel, Florence Ndunge,Alphonce Ndolo among others.

Family and Friends are meeting at Norwich Union Towers on 7^th February 2017 for fundraising from 5pm – 9pm and funeral arrangements.

In God’s hand you rest in our hearts you live forever. (Kadosh)

 

 

Sunrise: 1930

Sunset : 29/01/2017

 

It is with humble acceptance of Gods will that we announce the passing on of our dear loving father Henry Inyingi M’Muchomba of Mboone village, Kiegoi sub location, Igembe South, Meru County which occurred on Sunday 29th January, 2017 at Maua Methodist Hospital after a short illness.

Son of the late Muchomba and Kanyiri. Loving husband of Janet Karuri and father of Kobia Inyingi, Julius Inyingi of Meru County Government, Zakayo Inyingi, Mukomaua Mung’athia, Jeremiah Inyingi, Morris Inyingi, James Inyingi, Koome Inyingi and Christine Inyingi. Father-in-law of Mary, Lucy, Kanaario, Mukiri, Karambu, Gakii and Catherine. He has left behind many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Brother of Ncii, Kaluma, Ciong’ondu and late Murungi.

Friends and relatives are meeting daily at his home in Mboone Kiegoi, Central Cafe Maua Town and Mombasa Village (Mombasa) at 4pm. The cortege leaves Maua Methodist Hospital mortuary on Saturday 4th February 2017 at 9am, for a funeral service t Kiegoi Primary School Grounds and there after he will be laid to rest at his farm in Mboone.