Manenberg community mourns tragic loss of young table tennis player

THE Manenberg community is reeling after the tragic murder of local table tennis player Ganief (Gary) Rensburg, who was fatally shot at the weekend.

Rensburg, 29, was a well-loved table tennis player and soccer player in the area, his family shared. 

Police confirmed a case of murder was under investigation following the incident on Saturday.

Rensburg was laid to rest on Sunday.

“Manenberg police attended a complaint... Saturday July 19, 2025. Upon arrival in Elsieskraal Road at about 7:25am, they found the body of a man who sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The 29-year-old man was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. The unknown suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.

"The circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation. The motive for this attack is yet to be determined,” police spokesperson Joseph Swartboot said.

Rensburg's mother-in-law Salwaa Thomas said it would take time for them to heal from the tragedy. 

"It was tragic. We couldn’t sleep or eat properly. Everybody knew him. My daughter isn’t coping. They were only married for two years in May. It’s very hard for her, they were extremely close. It’s going to take time to recover. Every time you close your eyes, you see it all happening again. You can’t believe this is real, it feels impossible. We are still trying to come to terms with it. It’s all still fresh but we know he was a good person."

“He was such a jolly person, if you were being serious, he’d make you laugh right away. During Ramadan, he’d sit with us, and we’d just laugh. At his funeral, you could see the impact. No one had dry eyes. He was an innocent, young, married man. A table tennis and soccer player. You could see how much people loved him.” 

She said the community was tired of living under violence where innocent lives were claimed at any turn. 

“I want justice, I see my children’s pain, I am a mother. I feel their pain, who is suffering, my daughter is suffering,” she said. 

Duinefontein table Tennis club said Rensburg was “a vibrant spirit taken far too soon”. 

“He was not only a passionate and committed member of our club, but also a friend, a teammate, and a true ambassador of our sport. His presence brought warmth and laughter to every match, every training session, and every gathering. As a club and as a table tennis family, we mourn with heavy hearts. We ask all clubs to please keep Gary's family in your thoughts and prayers, and to join us in honouring his memory in the days to come.”

Ilitha Labantu said the tragedy was not an isolated event, but reflects the harsh and painful reality of many communities on the Cape Flats.

“The Cape Flats has long been the epicentre of violent crime in South Africa, and the state’s failure to provide adequate protection, policing, and long-term interventions has allowed this crisis to deepen. Ilitha Labantu calls on all levels of government and civil society to urgently prioritise the safety and wellbeing of communities like Manenberg. This includes the implementation of more stringent measures to combat violent crime, improved policing, the dismantling of violent networks, and meaningful investment in social and economic development. Communities cannot thrive under siege,” Ilitha Labantu spokesperson Siyabulela Monakali said.

Cape Times