Funeral on Sunday for 14 Learners Killed
By Karabo Marifi
Vanderbijlpark –
Communities across the Vaal region are preparing to say their final goodbyes to the 14 young learners who tragically lost their lives in a horrific scholar transport crash on Monday, 19 January 2026, with a joint mass funeral set for Sunday at the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Ground in Sebokeng.
This comes after an emotional memorial service held on Friday, 23 January 2026, at the Sebokeng Hall, where families, friends, and locals gathered to honour the victims amid lingering anger and calls for justice over the incident that has shaken the area.
The crash, which claimed the lives of children from various schools, has left a deep scar on the community, prompting candlelight vigils and widespread mourning.
As individual funerals take place on Saturday in different locations, the mass event on Sunday aims to bring everyone together in solidarity, reflecting the shared grief and the urgent need for safer transport for schoolchildren.
The Tragic Crash That Shook the Vaal
The accident happened around 07:00 on the R553 Golden Highway between Bophelong and Sebokeng, when a minibus taxi carrying learners collided head-on with a side tipper truck.
The impact was devastating, mangling the vehicle and scattering debris across the road.
Emergency teams arrived to a scene of horror, with 11 children pronounced dead on site and three more passing away later from their injuries, bringing the total to 14.
The victims, aged between seven and 18, were on their way to schools like Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark and others in the area.
Among them were Phehello Motaung, an 18-year-old known for his bright future, and seven-year-old Lesego Sefatsa, remembered as a playful child full of life.
Other names emerging from tributes include Thato Moetji and Sagwadi Mathe, two Grade 12 girls whose dreams were cut short just as their final school year began.
Witnesses described parents rushing to the site in panic, searching for their children amid the wreckage. The minibus driver, a 22-year-old facing 14 counts of murder and other charges, survived and appeared in court shortly after.
Investigations point to possible reckless driving, overloading, or mechanical faults, underscoring ongoing risks in scholar transport where vehicles often carry more passengers than safe.
This tragedy joins a string of similar incidents in Gauteng, where poor vehicle maintenance and unqualified drivers have led to repeated losses.
Just weeks earlier, other crashes in the province claimed young lives, highlighting a systemic problem that demands urgent fixes like stricter inspections and better funding for safe buses.
Memorial Service: A Time for Tears and Tributes
On Friday, hundreds filled the Sebokeng Hall for a heartfelt memorial, where candles were lit and songs sung in remembrance.
Families shared stories of the children’s laughter and ambitions, turning the event into a celebration of their short lives amid the sorrow.
One poignant moment came from a video of a young victim expressing simple wishes, a clip that went viral and touched hearts across the nation.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube attended, offering words of comfort and promising support for counselling and funeral costs. Lesufi spoke of the need to protect children, vowing reviews of scholar transport contracts to prevent repeats.
The service also saw calls for accountability, with some families expressing anger over the driver’s young age and the vehicle’s condition.
Candlelight vigils held earlier in the week brought the community together, with residents standing in solidarity under the night sky. These gatherings, organised by local groups, featured prayers and messages of unity, showing how the Vaal’s tight-knit neighbourhoods rally in tough times.
Individual Funerals on Saturday
Before the mass farewell, several families have chosen to hold private services on Saturday, 24 January 2026, in various spots across the Vaal.
For instance, Phehello Motaung and Lesego Sefatsa will be laid to rest at their home in Zone 14, Sebokeng, allowing close loved ones a quiet moment to grieve.
These separate funerals reflect the personal touches families want, like burying children near family homes or in line with cultural traditions. Some will include school friends sharing memories, while others focus on religious rites.
This approach helps ease the pain for those not ready for a large gathering, but it also shows the widespread impact, with services scattered from Bophelong to Vanderbijlpark.
Transport arrangements have been made to help attendees move between events, with community leaders stepping in to provide shuttles and meals.
These smaller ceremonies pave the way for Sunday’s joint service, where the full community can unite.
Mass Funeral on Sunday: A Community United in Grief
The main event unfolds on Sunday, 25 January 2026, at the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Ground in Sebokeng, where a mass funeral will honour all 14 victims together.
This venue, known for hosting large gatherings, will see tents set up for shade and seating, with screens displaying photos and videos of the children.
Religious leaders from different faiths will lead prayers, and school choirs may perform songs in tribute. Families expect speeches from officials, perhaps touching on road safety reforms.
The service aims to foster healing, with psycho-social support teams on hand for those overwhelmed by loss.
Burials will follow at local cemeteries, with processions drawing crowds in solidarity.
This joint approach saves costs for grieving families while symbolising shared pain. Donations from across the country have poured in, helping cover expenses and showing national empathy for the Vaal’s loss.
Calls for Change and Road Safety Reforms
Amid the mourning, voices grow louder for better scholar transport. Parents demand mandatory safety checks, qualified drivers, and government subsidies to upgrade vehicles.
The crash has spotlighted issues like overloading – the minibus was meant for 14 but carried 23 – and young operators lacking experience.
Authorities have promised investigations, with the driver’s court case ongoing. Broader reforms could include dedicated school lanes or GPS tracking for buses. In Gauteng, where similar accidents claimed lives last year, this tragedy pushes for real action to protect the next generation.
As the Vaal buries its young, the hope is that their loss sparks lasting change. Families like those of Phehello and Lesego find solace in community support, vowing to remember the children through safer roads and brighter futures for all.
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