Goodbye

“Nothing makes sense. This is the biggest tragedy that could happen,” he said. “God knows that we don’t understand.”

But he encouraged them to have faith and reminded them of Currie’s outstanding qualities.

“Marli always had a smile on her face and was a good student who was loved by all those who knew her.”

Thomson’s words were met by sobs, including her classmates’, who came out in their numbers and wore full school uniform to attend their friend’s funeral.

Their soft cries penetrated the room during the moment of silence and during the singing of hymns.

Alongside Currie’s portrait were white candles and several bunches of pink and purple balloons.

Her family encouraged people to inscribe messages on the balloons.

Following the emotional service, the sound of Christina Perri’s A Thousand Years blasted through speakers placed on the stairs.

There, the teenager’s loved ones sent the balloons into the blue sky as a handful of white doves were released from cages into the air.

This sentimental moment was met with uncontrollable tears as Currie’s parents and siblings found it difficult to contain their emotions.

Her classmates also cried loudly and consolled each other as the balloons slowly floated up into the air.

Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga also attended the funeral.

She told a media gathering outside the Vaal church that a parent losing a child was one of the worst things that could ever happen.

“I’m sure there no pain for a parent which goes beyond losing a child,” the minister said.

“I think it is the worst thing for a parent, especially at her age. She was in her prime, at her best, beautiful and innocent.”

She described the school’s bridge collapse as a freak accident.

“It was a school that was well built, but unfortunately there were structural problems,” said Motshekga.

“It is not typical infrastructure challenges that we are facing, like at schools where there is no infrastructure.

“There were some technical problems with the structure.”