Sumi's Song for Joost that Made South Africans Cry... She'll Sing at Memorial - SAPeople

Sumi’s Song for Joost that Made South Africans Cry… She’ll Sing at Memorial

The Joost van der Westhuizen tribute song – first featured by SAPeople on Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Day in 2014 – will be performed by his niece Sumi Botha on Friday, at the Springbok rugby player’s public memorial in Pretoria. (Update, 10 Feb: Watch Sumari Botha sing Mr Number 9 tribute song at Joost’s Public […]

The Joost van der Westhuizen tribute song – first featured by SAPeople on Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Day in 2014 – will be performed by his niece Sumi Botha on Friday, at the Springbok rugby player’s public memorial in Pretoria. (Update, 10 Feb: Watch Sumari Botha sing Mr Number 9 tribute song at Joost’s Public Memorial.)

For many South Africans – hearing it for the first time on the radio, the morning after Joost passed away – they broke down in tears on their way to work… leading some press to call it the song that brought the nation to tears.

The emotional tribute, written and performed by Sumi (Sumari) in 2013, is called “Mr Number 9”.

Sumi said at the time: “Joost Van Der Westhuizen, not only my hero but my family too… and through all this, I show him how much I love and respect him through writing this song for him…

“I was flown over to South Africa in June of 2013 from Australia to film and record his song and I know his legacy will live on!”

Watch Music Video: MR.No 9 – Sumi Botha (Joost van der Westhuizen’s niece)

Joost was diagnosed with MND in 2011. He fought a brave and long battle – not only for himself, but for other sufferers less privileged than himself (see video at bottom). Joost passed away on Monday 6 February, surrounded by his family.

The Number 9 refers to Joost’s Springbok rugby jersey.

South Africans around the world are invited to wear Springbok colours on Friday in tribute to Joost.