It’s disturbing to see people celebrating Hoërskool Driehoek tragedy

My heartfelt condolences to Hoërskool Driehoek and the families of the deceased pupils. This kind of tragedy that happened at the aforesaid school, could have happened to anyone. It reminded me of the Westdene disaster in the 1980s. We were united as a country, mourning the loss of lives of school children when a bus carrying schoolchildren crashed into the Westdene dam, killing 41 people in 1985. At that time, as black South Africans, we were faced with the ruthless apartheid yet everybody was traumatised by the tragedy.

We even saw a leader of an African church sending condolences to the Westdene families to show that though we may differ in ideas and many other aspects, during the time of grieve as Africans we don’t celebrate but show kindness even to our worst enemies. My point is that it is so disturbing to hear people, especially blacks, sending negative messages.

Our values and principles are such that when death occurs, we share other people’s grieve and pain. That’s who we are as Africans.

I am appealing to our fellow brothers and sisters to remember that we have been taught and raised correctly. Let’s go back to the basics, respect the dead, because the hateful words sent to the media about the lives lost at Hoërskool Driehoek were disappointing. Remember, tomorrow it could be you or your loved ones.

Martha Mphelo, email