The families who lost 11 children in the Carletonville scholar transport crash expressed devastation as they remembered their loved ones at a memorial service on Tuesday.
“What do you say when a child has passed on, one [child]? You cry. And what do you say when there are two of your kids who have passed on? What do you say when there are three or four? Yes, you say God give me strength. But the strength is never there sometimes,” said Aviva Manca, a representative of the Hlalele family.
The Hlalele family lost four children in the accident that claimed 12 lives, including that of the driver. One learner was from Laerskool Blyvooruitsig. The other 10 were from Rocklands Primary School.
This emerged at the sombre mass memorial service at the Grace Bible Church in Carletonville on Tuesday.
Messages of support from president, education minister, MEC
The grieving families expressed gratitude to the Gauteng department of education MEC Matome Chiloane. They were grateful for him showing support in their hour of need. The families have also received messages of support from President Cyril Ramaphosa. Siviwe Gwarube, the newly appointed Minister of Education, also sent her message of condolences.
“In this instance, at least all families have these kids that have passed on. We have a little bit of comfort that we are not alone. The authorities have been with us since the event that happened.
“There will be a time that we will be alone. We know for a fact that after all this in and out in our homes as different families, …after the funeral, we will be alone. And that is when it will hit home,” said Manca.
The emotional uncle said they would miss hearing the irritating noise that the children would make. As well as them reprimanding them as they ran around their home.
He said seeing a school bus will never be the same again. Thinking that the lost children would have been in the same bus, safe as others.
Chiloane said the department is deeply saddened by the loss of the learners.
He said it was an unplanned, sad situation that the learners had to lose their lives on their way to school. On their way to prepare for a better future that has now been cut short.
“Today is indeed a sad day. We gather here to remember and honour the lives of 11 precious children who were taken from us far too soon. The pain of their loss weighs heavily on our souls. And the emptiness they leave behind is profound.
Sad loss of our country’s future leaders
“As we come together in this time of grief and remembrance, may we find solace in the words of the scripture,” said Chiloane.
He said the lost children were filled with potential and had much to offer the world. As young as they were, their spirits should live on, he said.
South African Principals Association (Sapa) chairperson Julia Hahle also attended the memorial service. She said: “As Sapa, we are saddened and perplexed by this terrible disaster that has befallen our country. Our schools are not the same today. As I believe that every school is remembering those learners.
“Our learners and our children are a heritage to us. And if they leave the world like this, what will be of our country?” said Hahle as cries broke out in the room.
Hahle further rejected the notion that the accident was God’s will. She said that such an incident was avoidable. This because there is no need for children to travel long distances to get a quality education, she said.
Read here: Road accidents claim 11 lives as heavy rains lash Eastern Cape
JUST IN | 12 pupils die after scholar transport overturns, catches fire
