In an emotional send-off for the 11 schoolchildren who died in a scholar transport accident last Wednesday, the community of Merafong, family and friends of the children came out in their numbers for the memorial service held at the Grace Bible Church in Carltonville on Tuesday.
Last Wednesday, South Africans reacted with shock following the death of 11 learners from Rocklands Primary School, with one family said to have lost four of their children in the same accident that also left one learner from Laerskool Blyvooruitsig and the driver of the scholar transport dead.
Speaking during the emotional send-off, Aviva Manqe, a representative of the Hlalele family that lost four children, said the pain of losing more than one child in the tragic accident would be too much to bear for the family, but they have put their trust in the Lord who will be always there even after the funeral.
“We agree that God has power over us and we accept his decisions. When your child has died you cry, but what do you do when you have lost two, three or four children?
“I must say, it is painful and on a daily basis you try to comfort your children saying it will be fine. With a little bit of comfort we realise we are not alone and the department and deputy mayor has been there with us.
“We also thank the community and the authorities that have been there with us and the people of Merafong and the entire Gauteng,” Manqe said.
Julia Hlahle, speaking on behalf of the South African Principals Association, called on the government to rethink some of its decisions in building schools far from communities as this creates the need for learners, including smaller children, to travel as though they are going to work.
“We cannot sit and fold our arms because what has happened is a tragedy that should not have happened. Our schools are not the same today.
“Our children leave home as if they are going to work. They leave early because schools are very far. We had high hopes for the lives of these children and looked forward to seeing them become citizens of this township and make an impact,“ she said.
Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Education, Matome Chiloane, gave thanks to the church and community leaders who during this time of need, helped the affected families throughout the week since the day of the accident.
“The faith based fraternity has always supported us as a government, offering their services, support, prayers and their time to the bereaved families.
“Today is indeed a sad day as we gather here with heavy hearts to remember the precious lives of the 11 children taken too soon.
“The emptiness we are feeling is profound as we come together in this time of grief and we must find solace and in the words of scripture,” Chiloane said.
On Tuesday, speaking to Power FM, Fochville station commander Lieutenant Colonel Kgomotso Netshitangani said only one body has been identified following the tragic inciden. The parents are prepared to wait for the conclusion of DNA tests before finalising the burial of their children, he said.
During the service, affected parents and family members cried inconsolably while others were given medical attention by paramedics on the scene.
The Star