Friends, family, teachers and fellow learners of the six girls from Riebeckstad High School, who tragically lost their lives in a bus accident, were remembered during a memorial service at Kingdom Ministries in Welkom, Free State province yesterday.
Oagile Gailele (13), Lerato Keketsi (13), Busisiwe Makansela (13), Tlotlisang Mokotjo (13), Relebohile Nteo (14) and Katleho Semelo (13) were described by the Free State MEC of Education, Makalo Mohale, as frontline troopers who have departed too soon.
“We had high hopes for them, but let’s not let their dreams die. We will meet them one day in glory where there are no tears, where there is no sorrow,” he said.
The bus accident which claimed their lives happened on the R70 Ventersburg-Senekal Road on their way back from an all-girls sports event which was held at Moolmanshoek, near Ventersburg.
“The pain of a parent burying a child is a pain that does not subside and a wound that never heals. Answers don’t come and you don’t understand the will of God but let’s lean into prayer. Prayer brings you back to God and gives you strength,” Free State Premier, Mxolisi Dukwana, said at the memorial service.
Last week, the province’s police spokesperson, Mothantsi Makehela, said that they are conducting an investigation for a culpable homicide case. He indicated then that it is still too early to hold anyone accountable until the outcomes of the investigation are known.