Closure as pain lingers
When news broke of 45 Batswana (44 from Molepolole and one from Thamaga) killed in a horrific accident, a dark cloud cast over the nation. It was like a nightmare many people wished and hoped to wake up from, but sadly, the news was true.
March 28 will go down as a day that Batswana will never forget because of the accident that occurred near Mmamatlakala in Limpopo, South Africa. The tragedy affected not only the grieving families but the nation at large. Batswana throughout the process stood behind the grieving families and the governments of Botswana and South Africa need much more than a pat on the back.
Saturday was a day when family members said their last goodbyes to their loved ones, a painful burial site indeed. The reality for the families sunk in on the day, knowing they would never see their family members again and re-opening the wounds of how they perished.
The deceased bodies of members of the St Engnas Zion Christian Church arrived on Tuesday in sealed caskets and awaited burial on Saturday at the Ga-Ranta Cemetery in Molepolole. One of the deceased who happened to be the driver was transported to his home village in Thamaga for his burial. The sole survivor of the accident is an eight-yearold girl. The tragedy was indeed major, as it has left children orphaned and some families have lost breadwinners. Seeing the faces and hearing the cries of mourners on Saturday was indeed heartbreaking. We hope our government will continue to give the affected families the support they need; counselling, and groceries where necessary. Most families lost more than one member and it will take some time for the mourning relatives to heal from the deep loss.
The South African government, in particular, Limpopo Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, deserves a big thank you and appreciation for the support she accorded the government of Botswana during this tragedy. The two governments worked tirelessly together to ensure that the families of the deceased get closure and get to give their family members proper burials. We will forever remain grateful for the compassion and assistance that the SA government accorded Batswana.
May the souls of our beloved 45 rest in eternal peace and may their families continue to be comforted.