The official memorial service of the six Riebeeckstad High School learners who were involved in a bus accident on 6 February was attended by Free State premier Mxolisi Dukwana, provincial MEC’s Gadija Brown (Finance), MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae (Community Safety, Roads and Transport), Makalo Mohale (Education) as well as Speaker of the Free State legislature, Zanele Sifuba. The memorial service was held at the Kingdom Ministries church in Dagbreek.
The heart-wrenching cries of young and old filled the church as the lives of Relebohile Nteo, Tlotlisang Mokotjo, Lerato Keketsi, Katleho Semelo, Oagile Gailele, and Blessing Makansela were celebrated one last time.
The mothers and immediate families of the deceased were inconsolable, as were the young learners of Riebeeckstad and surrounding schools.
With a heavy heart, Neo Moshane, vice-president of the Riebeeckstad school’s representative council learners (RCL), thanked the Department of Education for rushing to the school as soon as they learnt of the tragedy and showing tremendous support.
“The inconsolable and out of control situation we have on our hands now is not a dramatic show by young ones; this has become our reality. We have lost some of our closest friends and people we had hoped to have in our lives for a very long time. The department has offered us a shoulder to cry on and I can only imagine the loneliness we will feel on Monday when we have to go back to a new reality.”
The executive mayor of the Matjhabeng Local Municipality, Thanduxolo Khalipha, as well the executive mayor of the Lejweleputswa District Municipality, Veronica Ntakumbana, were also in attendance.
