The Carletonville community is in mourning after the passing of 11 learners in a tragic accident on Wednesday, 10 July 2024 – a day after schools reopened for the third term.
This is how Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube, commenced her term as the new minister, by sadly having to visit Rocklands Primary School where 10 learners lost their lives and Laerskool Blyvooruitsig where one died in the accident.
This accident occurred after a privately owned scholar transport was bumped at the back by bakkie, causing it to overturn and catch fire, leading to the deaths of 11 learners and their driver.
Gwarube said although she cannot fathom the pain the parents, teachers and the schooling communities are going through, she felt the need to be with them on Friday, 12 July, to extend her sincere condolences and assure them that the department is with them during this difficult time.
“Even though I am new in this role, I want the educators, the teachers and the parents to know that they are not alone and we will go through this difficult period with them”, said Gwarube.
During a media briefing, Gwarube said scholar transport along with infrastructure is very close to her heart.
“Scholar transport remains a priority to us because we don’t want to learners to be in danger of being harmed on their way to school. We lost 11 of our learners, it hurts, it hurts a lot”, said Gwarube.
The principal at Rocklands Primary School, Fundiswa Badashe, said the whole school is still in great shock.
“We are deeply saddened, emotionally drained and traumatized as a school. We lost 10 learners from different grades” Badashe said.
Gwarube extended the support and messages of condolences to the teachers and School Governing Body members at Laerskool Blyvooruitsig.
“The loss of loved ones is never easy. We offer our heartfelt sympathies to the parents of the children. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers, hoping that healing and grace locate you. We also wish the learners who were hurt in the accident a full and speedy recovery,” said Gwarube.