SA stars pay tribute to Kobe Bryant - "Legends are forever"

The untimely death of basketball icon Kobe Bryant has sent shock waves around the world. 

The 41-year-old was killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, alongside his daughter Gianna.

All nine people onboard the helicopter, including two of Gianna's friends, died

https://www.ecr.co.za/news/news/nine-people-dead-kobe-bryant-helicopter-crash/

They were reportedly on their way to Bryant's Mamba Sports Academy.  The former LA Lakers star coached his daughter, who had dreams of playing in the WNBA, at the academy.

Former US president, Barack Obama, was among the first to pay tribute to the "legend".

"Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day," he wrote on Twitter. 

Bryant leaves behind his wife, Vanessa, and their three children,  Natalia (17), Bianka (3), and seven-month old Capri. 

Actress Nomzamo Mabtha asked God to send his angels to "cradle" the Bryant family. 

"The grief in the Bryant home in this very moment and every other moment they will spend for the rest of their lives is unimaginable. May God and the angels of heaven cradle them. May there be peace beyond understanding. May we all hold them in prayer," she tweeted. 

Linda Mtoba, who recently chatted to East Coast Drive's Bongani Mtolo about her journey to motherhood, said she can't imagine what Kobe's wife Vannesa is going through right now. 

"Sending prayer for Vanessa. She needs them most. I can’t even begin to imagine this type of pain," she tweeted. 

Here's what other stars had to say.

AKA

LeAnne Dlamini

Proverb

Pearl Thusi

Terry Pheto

Nasty C

Lalla Hirayama

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Main image courtesy of Instagram/@kobebryant