This archive report was first published on 2 July 2019.
On Burundi's 57th Independence Day, President Pierre Nkurunziza made a poignant gesture to honour the memory of Papy Faty, a talented footballer who tragically passed away during a game earlier this year.
Faty was a key member of the Burundi squad that secured a historic qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations in March 2019.
However, his life was cut short just a month later while playing for his club in Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland.
As a testament to his dedication and passion for the sport, President Nkurunziza presented a posthumous award to Faty's mother, accompanied by a generous donation of two million Burundian francs (approximately $1,089).
The ceremony also recognised outstanding individuals in various fields, including education, diplomacy, the army, and police services.
