Heartbreaking memorial for five TVET staff killed in accident
Family, friends, officials pay tribute; colleagues struggling to cope with loss receiving counselling
Condolence messages have poured in from across the country after five Ikhala TVET College employees were killed in a car accident between Aliwal North and Jamestown last week.
Senior exam officer Monwabisi Siwa, secretary to the deputy principal of academic services Christina Tingashe-Caba, intern in the office of the principal Melisizwe Manzi, corporate services intern Bukelwa Baleka and Ezibeleni engineering campus intern Yandiswa Cwayi all lost their lives when the vehicle they were travelling in collided head-on with a truck on the N6 near the Floukraal turn-off on Wednesday morning.
Scores of mourners attended a memorial service for them at His Grace Tabernacle Church on Thursday.
Lunga Malindi, of corporate services, said staff at the college were struggling to cope with the loss and that psycho-social support was being provided to them.
Senior managers and staff this week visited the families who lost their loved ones, he said.
“This is a bitter pill to swallow. “We are in a bad situation. We are trying to come to terms with what has happened, but it is difficult.
“If we colleagues feel this way, imagine how the families are feeling.
“As a college we have to support the families and ensure our colleagues get a dignified send-off,” said Malindi.
Department of transport provincial spokesperson Unathi Binqose said all five occupants who were travelling in an Isuzu double cab died on the scene.
The two occupants (both male) in the Nissan UD mini truck were trapped in the vehicle and severely injured and later rushed to a hospital in Aliwal North.
The driver died in hospital later that night.
“The circumstances surrounding the cause of the accident are still unknown at this stage as the scene was still subject to further investigations by various authorities,” said Binqose.
“A case of culpable homicide will be opened at Aliwal North SAPS for further investigations.”
This is a bitter pill to swallow. We are in a bad situation. We are trying to come to terms with what has happened, but it is difficult.
MEC for transport, Weziwe Tikana Gxothiwe, also extended condolences, urging road users to be cautious.
The office of the minister of higher education, science and innovation, Blade Nzimande, issued a statement giving his condolences, indicating that the group were travelling in a college vehicle from Ikhala TVET College central office in Komani to do work at the Aliwal North campus.
“This unfortunate incident happens at a time when the department of higher education and training is holding an inaugural two-day TVET Colleges strategic industry partnerships summit which aims to foster dynamic and strategic partnerships between the department, TVET colleges and the industry.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased at this difficult moment,” said Nzimande.
He directed the health department to join the college’s management in providing psycho-social support to the families and staff members.
An emotional Mpumelelo Fini, who is related to Siwa, said the family would remember his smile and the great love he had for his children.
“We are deeply pained because he was the only man who was looking after the family home. He was a quiet but very firm person.
“We learnt he assisted a lot in his community even within the family. These were things he kept to himself and we are only learning of them now.”
Baleka ’ s sister, Nomthandazo Baleka, said she had initially thought her sister was injured in the accident.
“Later that afternoon I was told she was no more. Our hearts are bleeding.
“We are devastated as a family as we were expecting a lot from her.
“She was full of humour and a friendly person and leaves a 13-yearold son.”