Pupils vow academic excellence to honour schoolmates who died in Eastern Cape floods

News24

5 hours ago

Thirteen schoolchildren were swept away in Eastern Cape floods last week, with only three surviving the ordeal.
Eight bodies were recovered while two are still missing.
On Thursday, Jumba Senior Secondary School pupils pledged to excel academically in tribute to their lost classmates.
Grief-stricken pupils of a Mthatha high school in the Eastern Cape have vowed to honour their dead classmates through academic excellence.
Ten pupils from Jumba Senior Secondary School died after their scholar transport was swept away when it tried to cross a flooded bridge last Tuesday. Three were rescued.
The floods claimed at least 92 lives.
On Thursday, the Eastern Cape government held a day of mourning for those who died in the devastating floods.
Hundreds of mourners packed the King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College's hall for the sombre event.
Speaking on behalf of the pupils, Ibenaye Mxoxozi said the past week had been difficult for them.
'We are heartbroken. The moment we get to school, we cry. It is difficult to cope with the loss of 10 pupils. They were classmates who had a bright future ahead of them. The only way to honour them is to excel academically,' a heartbroken Mxoxozi added.
'They went to school while it was raining. They did not stay at home due to bad weather, and for that, they will always be our heroes.'
The ordeal was so traumatic for the three pupils who escaped the raging water that none attended the service.
The Grade 11 pupils said they were comforted by the fact their pain was shared by many.
'Each of them brought light and joy to the school. We called them best friends. Their absence leaves a hole in our hearts. Even during this sorrow, we find strength in knowing that their short lives were full of meaning and purpose,' said Mxoxozi.
Thobile Bhazana, the uncle of Grade 9 pupil Asithandile Nyameni, 15, said his niece's body was recovered on Saturday, four days after the incident.
'We are happy we were able to recover the body. The whole incident, traumatic as it is, brings us closure.'
Bhazana added Asithandile dreamed of becoming a doctor.
'At home, we told her it was raining, but she said that she wanted to go to school because they were writing exams. She really loved her school and would joke that when she was a qualified doctor, she would bring an injection home to cure whoever was sick.'
Anita Bali, who spoke on behalf of Bambanani Senior Primary, which lost eight pupils, said they were still traumatised.
Two pupils are still missing.
'It's a tragedy that has shocked us. We are not coping at all, but we trust in the Lord that one day we will overcome our grief,' said Bali.
Silindokuhle Qetsele, 23, from Slovo Park, added she lost four family members - her brother, sister-in-law, and their two children aged eight and 12.
Qetsele said 12-year-old Amila Qetsele told her she wanted to be independent and have a family when she grew up.
'I don't know how long it will take to heal. I have been crying daily ever since the incident. It is difficult even to sleep at night,' she added.
OR Tambo District Municipality Deputy Mayor Thandekile Sabisa said: 'It's the first time we are experiencing a tragedy of this nature.
'We stand here not just to grieve but to unite in deep sympathy with the victims. When one household mourns, we must all reach out in empathy.' Sabisa added.