The MEC for Education, Fundile Gade, visited the family of a Grade 11 learner, Anelisiwe Mqulekazi (21), from Ludidi Senior Secondary School in Matatiele, who passed away in an accident, while she was coming home from school.
Mqulekazi was travelling with 21 other learners on a scholar transport bus, when the driver lost control, causing it to overturn.
The incident happened on September 2. She was laid to rest in Lukholweni location in Matatiele, on Saturday, last week.
Gade said they had first visited the school with the aim of looking at the damage caused by this incident. He confirmed that three of the four learners involved in the accident were now doing better, while the fourth was seriously injured.
“Our aim of visiting here, firstly, was to speak with the family, teachers and learners, so that we could know where to assist the family. It is painful when the child passes away because it leaves a gap in the family. All families always have a vision about their children, hoping that one day he/she would be the light of that particular home,” said Gade.
He said it was their responsibility, as government, to ensure that they go beyond the problem and look at the challenges the families were facing.
“We did not want this family to have the responsibility they did not plan for, even if they planned for it, but government had to show support and that it cared.”
A member of the Matatiele and Maluti Bus Association, Tabiso Mkolokoto, said they had tried by all means to ensure that their buses were in good condition. He said they always made sure that before these buses transport learners, they are inspected quarterly.
“One of the challenges was that our access roads was damaged by heavy rains,” said Mkolokoto.
One of the relatives, Lungile Mzilikazi, said Gade brought smiles into their faces because the situation was very bad.
“We did not know how we would bury her because we are a poor family. At least now his visit brought light,” said Mzilikazi.
He described Anelisiwe as a young girl who liked her school work.
