August 7, 2018 is a date Hennie Kotze desperately wants to black out from his memory. It was on this fateful day he received the shocking news of the death of his former student, Nicholas Bett, the 2015 world champion in the 400m hurdles.
Bett had won the title at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, the first Kenyan to do so in an event shorter than the 800 metres. He was driving to Nairobi from Eldoret when his car hit a bump and rolled over. He was killed instantly.
Bett, who was only 28, was more of a son to Kotze, who now coaches Abderrahman Samba with the aim of making him the world champion.
In Jakarta now for the Asian Games, Kotze found it emotionally overwhelming to talk about Bett.
“No, no, please,” Kotze said, moving back a few steps and covering his face with his palms to muffle his sobs.
He composed himself after a couple of minutes to continue the interview only to step back again, finding himself incapable of dealing with the situation.
This writer had no option but to apologise to him profusely for bringing up the topic, but Kotze finally got himself together and managed a few words.
“I was shocked and saddened by the news. He was with me for two years. It’s a great loss for athletics, and also for me personally.”
Samba, who was listening from a few yards away, came to the Kotze’s assistance.
“Don’t worry coach, he is with God, he is in a nice place,” he said. Kotze smiled.