Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep sadness over the deaths of 12 learners from Rocklands Primary School and Laerskool Blyvooruitsig in Carletonville, who perished in a road accident in Merafong City, Gauteng’s West Rand.
Ramaphosa conveyed his condolences to the grieving families, friends, fellow students, and educators, and wished a swift recovery to the seven injured learners.
“The loss of such young lives at the start of a new school term touches all of us as a nation.
NDABANEW: President Cyril Ramaphosa has conveyed his condolences to the affected families.
“President Ramaphosa offers his condolences to the families, friends, fellow learners and educators of the deceased children”, says presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.
“The loss of… pic.twitter.com/Q5fLxoSFJ2
— Thulani Ndaba (@tndaba) July 11, 2024
“We wish the affected families and school communities the best as they mourn the passing of children who have been deprived of fulfilling their potential and spending their lives with families and friends,” Ramaphosa said in a statement.
He stressed the importance of ensuring greater protection for children.
“This tragedy, which regretfully is not the first of its kind to confront us, demands that that we exercise our obligation to protect our children with the utmost care.”
The Gauteng Department of Education also expressed its sadness.
“I am profoundly saddened by this tragic event,” Gauteng education minister Matome Chiloane said.
MEDIA STATEMENT
MEC @matomekopano is deeply saddened to confirm an incident that occurred this morning 11 learners from Rocklands Primary School and 1 learner from Laerskool Blyvooruitsig in Carletonville, along with their driver, lost their lives in a devastating accident. pic.twitter.com/YNksxRWlos
— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) July 10, 2024
“I have always said to parents we need to check the condition of the vehicles that we put our kids in,” she added.
[Media Release] NATU conveys condolences to Parents and Teachers of Rocklands Primary School and Laerskool Blyvooruitsig. https://t.co/3PY8jczhgv pic.twitter.com/xs1bLc5d75
— NATIONAL TEACHERS’ UNION (@NATIONALTEACHE2) July 11, 2024
#DBENews | Minister Gwarube sends condolences as schooling communities reel from loss of young lives. pic.twitter.com/mgPIhjeXXv
— Dep. Basic Education (@DBE_SA) July 10, 2024
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
