Communities across South Africa continue to mourn the devastating loss of young lives following the fatal scholar transport accident in Vanderbijlpark that claimed the lives of 14 learners. As families struggle to come to terms with the tragedy, two more victims will be laid to rest this weekend, marking another painful chapter in a disaster that has shaken the nation.
Nine-year-old Lindokuhle Mabaso will be buried on Saturday morning in Steynsrus in the Free State. Lindokuhle was among the learners travelling in a scholar minibus taxi that collided with a truck in Vanderbijlpark, west of Johannesburg, earlier this week. The crash sent shockwaves through the country, prompting an outpouring of grief from parents, educators, government officials, and ordinary citizens who have been following the story closely.
Another learner who died in the same crash, Sagwadi Baloyi-Mathye, will be laid to rest in Olifantshoek village outside Giyani in Limpopo. Family members and community leaders are expected to gather to pay their final respects, as the list of funerals linked to the tragedy continues to grow.
Earlier this week, a memorial service was held at the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Ground in Sebokeng in the Vaal, where mourners came together to honour the learners who lost their lives. The emotional service reflected not only the deep sorrow felt by families, but also the collective anger and frustration over ongoing concerns about the safety of scholar transport across the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Baloyi-Mathye family, spokesperson Queen Baloyi urged authorities to take stronger action to ensure that scholar transport operators comply with the law. She called for stricter checks on drivers and vehicles, stressing that parents deserve to know their children are safe when they leave for school each day.
“I am making a call to all that please verify if the driver sometimes drives while drunk or not. We are very saddened about what happened to our daughter. We must also check if the operating permits are in order or not,” Baloyi said.
Her comments echo concerns raised by many parents and community members, who argue that the tragedy highlights long-standing problems in the scholar transport sector. Issues such as unroadworthy vehicles, unlicensed operators, and inadequate oversight have been raised repeatedly in the past, often after fatal accidents have already occurred.
The Vanderbijlpark crash has once again placed the spotlight on road safety and the responsibility of both authorities and transport operators to protect young passengers. Government officials have expressed condolences to the affected families and have promised investigations into the cause of the accident, as well as the circumstances surrounding the vehicle involved.
For the families, however, these assurances come amid overwhelming grief. As more children are laid to rest, communities are left not only to mourn, but also to demand meaningful change to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The funerals of Lindokuhle Mabaso and Sagwadi Baloyi-Mathye serve as painful reminders of what is at stake—and of the urgent need to ensure that no parent has to bury a child because of preventable failures in road safety and transport regulation.
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