Uzuko Lwakhe Church in Mandela Park in Khayelitsha was packed to the rafters during the funeral of Lilitha Rehema Eiman (7) on Saturday 10 June.
Lilitha was one of five learners who died in a school transport accident that occurred at AZ Berman Drive in Mitchell’s Plain on Tuesday 30 May.
Two other children were seriously injured and were taken to hospital for medical attention. However, one of them was discharged later.
Lilitha was the fourth child to be buried, while Lelam Betiwe (5) from Makhaza is expected to be buried on Sunday 11 June in the area and is going to be the last child.
Part of the people who attended the service were community leaders which included ward 97 councillor, South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco), Khayelitsha Development Forum (KDF) and various church leaders.
KDF secretary Khayalethu Nethi said they are relieved now that almost all the families managed to bury their loved ones. He said only one family (Betiwe family) left and is going to bury their child on Sunday 11 June.
“Ours as KDF is to ensure that all the affected families are healing. We believe that they will start feeling the pain and the void that is left by the loved ones after every one who came to comfort them during the difficult time left after the funeral. That is where we are planning to intervene and try to close that void,” said Nethi.
He stated that they are intending to engage other stakeholders and try to find a better way to assist the affected families.
Councillor Mthwalo Mkutswana described the service as a sad farewell. He said the children were not supposed to die like that. However, he stated their death was a God’s will. Mkutswana urged the provincial Department of Mobility to monitor the learner’s school transport system.
“I think the government needs to look at how the learner’s school transports operate because some of them are taking overloads. And also the parents have a responsibility to monitor their children’s transport,” said Mkutswana.
He thanked everyone who made the service possible.
City Vision was unable to talk to the family members during the service as they asked for a space to grieve. Lilitha was buried at Khayelitsha cemetery.