The KwaZulu-Natal Minister of Education and Culture, who is also in charge of Sport and Recreation, Mr. Narend Singh, has expressed his shock and deep sadness at the death of Mr. Donovan Goodall, his sister and brother-in law, all of whom tragically died when the car they were driving in, overturned in Harrismith yesterday at about 4 in the afternoon. Mr. Goodall was to have captained a South African Team to the 2003 SKISA Karate World Cup scheduled for Friday (26 September 2003), in Durban.

Minister Singh said:

"I am terribly saddened by the news of the sudden death of Mr. Donovan Goodall. Mr Donovan was the Captain of the South African Team that is expected to compete at the coming SKISA Karate World Cup scheduled for this coming Friday. His tragic death has robbed his family, relatives, friends and karate fraternity of a talented leader upon whom we had pinned all the hopes of winning the Karate World Cup for South Africa."

"My heart grieves with the family at this time of need. I am also expressing my condolences for the loss of his sister and brother-in-law who were with him in the car."

"As Minister responsible for Sport in KwaZulu-Natal, I wish to urge our team not to lose heart. They must take this tragedy as a challenge which must spur them to fight on. They must go to the World Cup determined to triumph for the sake of our Captain. This is the best tribute they can pay him."

"Indeed KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa are left poorer by Mr Goodall's death."