Caption: The deceased learners before the send off
By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe and Kopano Dibakwane
All their dreams,happiness of their families in raising future leaders we d down the drain when an unroadworthy scholar transport killed Six learners .
Unroadworthy scholar transport vehicles will be scrapped and drivers who disobey the rules of the road will face the full might of the law.
This was the stern warning by Mpumalanga Premier, Mandla Ndlovu, as he delivered the keynote address during the joint funeral service of six learners from Morelig Combined School, (Alecia Nomfundo Sibanyoni, Sinenhlanhla Destiny Sibanyoni, Prudence Dimpho Masina, Sibusiso Thulani Mokoneni, Katlego Tshwarelo Majutle, Joseph Innocent Mabena),who lost their lives when their scholar transport bus collided with a train at Arnot last week. The funeral service was held at Sikhululiwe Community Hall, in Mafube Village, Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, on Saturday 10 August.
Ndlovu was amongst a number of senior government officials, from Provincial and National, who joined the bereaved families and community members to give the fallen children a dignified send off.
“ Today is a very sad day. Drivers are supposed to play their parental role in collaboration with teachers and parents, but this is not the case. We must blame both drivers for this accident,” said Ndlovu.
He said the school obtained 95% matric pass rate in 2023 and urged the educators and learners to achieve 100% pass rate in 2024 to honour the fallen learners.
He said government will enhance safety measures for scholar transport. He vehemently urged learners to say no to bad driving and suspicious behaviour by drivers who speed, as well as drinking and driving.
“We are inviting our learners and communities to alert the government about any suspicious irregular behaviour. We would like to convey our deepest condolences to the six departed pupils and wish those who are in hospital a speedy recovery. We want to indicate to drivers that they are not just driving passengers, they are driving the future of this country.
“ We want to thank the people of Mpumalanga for coming out in large numbers to pay special tribute to the six fallen heroes and heroines. We are going to investigate and discover what really happened,” said Ndlovu.
The MEC for Education in Mpumalanga,Cathy Dlamini, thanked the Premier for his contribution and support in ensuring that the bereaved families are duly supported in their time of grief.
All family members of the deceased learners thanked the support shown by the government in ensuring that the learners are buried with dignity and respect.
