Families, community members and government officials gathered in Sebokeng in the Vaal on Saturday to bid farewell to learners who lost their lives in a tragic scholar transport accident in Vanderbijlpark.
The crash occurred earlier this week along the Golden Highway when a minibus transporting pupils to school collided with a truck, killing 14 learners. A joint funeral service for three of the victims was held at the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Ground on 25 January.
Six-year-old Ofentse Vinger, Thato Moetji and Bokamoso Mokhobo were among those laid to rest. During emotional tributes, families described the children as joyful, loving and full of promise, saying their short lives brought immense happiness and unforgettable memories.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, were among the mourners who attended the service. Addressing the gathering, Chikunga urged parents and guardians to take greater responsibility in ensuring the safety of scholar transport services.
“A child has the right to safety, education and to arrive home alive,” she said. “Parents must vet drivers and vehicles, ask for licences and verify them. Vigilance is not suspicion — it is love in action.”
She also issued a firm warning to scholar transport operators, cautioning against placing profit above the lives of learners.
“You are not transporting goods; you are carrying futures,” Chikunga said. “If your business depends on cutting corners, then it has no place in this country. Upgrade or step aside. We will continue to support responsible operators and remove unsafe ones from our roads.”
The tragedy has renewed calls for stricter regulation and monitoring of scholar transport services, as communities demand stronger measures to prevent similar incidents and protect the lives of learners.
About The Author
