Latest news with #JumbaSeniorSecondary
News24
24-06-2025
- News24
‘We're trying to be strong': Mthatha pupil's body found two weeks after tragic drowning
SANDF soldiers recovered the decomposed body of 16-year-old Simbongile Kadeeja Nomntwana from a river. Ten pupils and two adults died when a school minibus was swept away while crossing a flooded bridge on 10 June - only three children survived. The Department of Basic Education has pledged R5 000 towards burial costs for each pupil as transport authorities urge caution during extreme weather. The body of a Mthatha pupil who disappeared after the minibus they were travelling in was swept away while crossing a flooded bridge two weeks ago was recovered by soldiers on Monday. Simbongile Kadeeja Nomntwana, 16, was with 12 other pupils when their school bus sank while they were travelling to Jumba Senior Secondary in Tabase near Mthatha, Eastern Cape, on 10 June. Only three pupils, two boys and a girl, survived the drowning by clinging to trees. The bodies of eight pupils were recovered, except for those of Nomntwana and her female schoolmate. The vehicle's driver and his assistant also died, and their bodies were retrieved. The Grade 10 pupil's uncle, Thanduxolo Dakana, said they were relieved that his niece's body had finally been found. 'The body was recovered by members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). It was found in a decomposed state under the sand in the river in Decoligny village. We are relieved that she has been found because it brings us a step closer to finding closure after losing her. 'We were worried and unable to sleep at night, not knowing where her body was,' Dakana said. The deceased's father, Mussa AjiDa, said he was 'feeling better' now that his daughter had been found. 'We are preparing for the funeral, most probably on Tuesday (24 June) because we are Muslim,' said AjiDa. He said he was saddened to lose the daughter whom he so dearly loved. 'It's not easy, but we are trying to be strong,' added AjiDa. Dakana described his niece as a lovely person. 'What a wonderful human being. Simbongile really loved people even though she was not a talkative person. While she was very young, she said she wanted to study law,' Dakana said. Speaking on behalf of Jumba Senior Secondary pupils during a provincial day of mourning that was held in Mthatha last Thursday, Grade 11 pupil Ibenaye Mxoxozi said that the deaths of 10 pupils had left the whole school traumatised. Mxoxozi added: Examinations had to be postponed. It is really not easy to process such a magnitude of death among our classmates. As fellow pupils, we have decided that the best way to honour them would be to excel academically. The owner of the minibus the pupils were travelling in is affiliated with the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco). Santaco national spokesperson Mmatshikhidi Phala appealed to public transport drivers to take precautionary measures in extreme weather. 'When we spoke to the owner of the vehicle, who was the last person to speak to the driver, he explained that the driver called him just as he was driving across the middle of the flooded bridge. 'The driver switched off the engine because the water was very heavy and overpowering the vehicle. The precautionary message that we need to start sending now is that those who are driving when it's raining heavily and who don't know the extent of the water should rather not attempt to drive through,' said Phala. In a statement on Monday, the Eastern Cape government said the Department of Basic Education had committed to contribute R5 000 towards the burial costs of each of the pupils.
News24
19-06-2025
- General
- News24
Pupils vow academic excellence to honour schoolmates who died in Eastern Cape floods
Thirteen schoolchildren were swept away in Eastern Cape floods last week, with only three surviving the ordeal. Eight bodies were recovered while two are still missing. On Thursday, Jumba Senior Secondary School pupils pledged to excel academically in tribute to their lost classmates. Grief-stricken pupils of a Mthatha high school in the Eastern Cape have vowed to honour their dead classmates through academic excellence. Ten pupils from Jumba Senior Secondary School died after their scholar transport was swept away when it tried to cross a flooded bridge last Tuesday. Three were rescued. The floods claimed at least 92 lives. On Thursday, the Eastern Cape government held a day of mourning for those who died in the devastating floods. Hundreds of mourners packed the King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College's hall for the sombre event. Speaking on behalf of the pupils, Ibenaye Mxoxozi said the past week had been difficult for them. 'We are heartbroken. The moment we get to school, we cry. It is difficult to cope with the loss of 10 pupils. They were classmates who had a bright future ahead of them. The only way to honour them is to excel academically,' a heartbroken Mxoxozi added. 'They went to school while it was raining. They did not stay at home due to bad weather, and for that, they will always be our heroes.' The ordeal was so traumatic for the three pupils who escaped the raging water that none attended the service. The Grade 11 pupils said they were comforted by the fact their pain was shared by many. 'Each of them brought light and joy to the school. We called them best friends. Their absence leaves a hole in our hearts. Even during this sorrow, we find strength in knowing that their short lives were full of meaning and purpose,' said Mxoxozi. Thobile Bhazana, the uncle of Grade 9 pupil Asithandile Nyameni, 15, said his niece's body was recovered on Saturday, four days after the incident. 'We are happy we were able to recover the body. The whole incident, traumatic as it is, brings us closure.' Bhazana added Asithandile dreamed of becoming a doctor. 'At home, we told her it was raining, but she said that she wanted to go to school because they were writing exams. She really loved her school and would joke that when she was a qualified doctor, she would bring an injection home to cure whoever was sick.' Anita Bali, who spoke on behalf of Bambanani Senior Primary, which lost eight pupils, said they were still traumatised. Two pupils are still missing. 'It's a tragedy that has shocked us. We are not coping at all, but we trust in the Lord that one day we will overcome our grief,' said Bali. Silindokuhle Qetsele, 23, from Slovo Park, added she lost four family members - her brother, sister-in-law, and their two children aged eight and 12. Qetsele said 12-year-old Amila Qetsele told her she wanted to be independent and have a family when she grew up. 'I don't know how long it will take to heal. I have been crying daily ever since the incident. It is difficult even to sleep at night,' she added. OR Tambo District Municipality Deputy Mayor Thandekile Sabisa said: 'It's the first time we are experiencing a tragedy of this nature. 'We stand here not just to grieve but to unite in deep sympathy with the victims. When one household mourns, we must all reach out in empathy.' Sabisa added.
