24 Oct 2017

Plans are underway to unveil a monument at an accident scene that claimed nine lives of Matsha College students almost two years ago.

In an interview, deputy district commissioner, Ms Boingotlo Ngaka said the unveiling, which is spearheaded by the Kweneng Disaster Management Committee, is scheduled for November 13.

The date marks the day when the accident occurred in 2015 near Dutlwe in the Letlhakeng Sub-district.

The students, who are Remote Area Dwellers, were being transported to their villages after completing BGCSE examinations at Matsha College and BOCODOL in Kang.

Their ages ranged between 15 and 22.

“The disaster management committee is also planning to unveil individual tombstones of the victims a few days before the unveiling of the monument,” Ms Ngaka said.

Ms Ngaka, who coordinates the project, said they were answering a plea from the parents, who had requested that a monument be put up where the lives of their children were lost.

She also said since the accident took place in the Kweneng region, it was only fair that they take the responsibility of honouring the parents of the victims’ wishes.

Ms Ngaka said they were anticipating to raise about P200 000 so that the project could be successful.

She noted that the funds were raised through pledges and donations from different organisations and individuals.

Ms Ngaka said so far they have pledges from Mosala Funeral Undertakers in Ditshegwane, who will be taking care of part of the expenses of the tombstones and the monument including putting them up.

“The South Region (ministry of education) has pledged P27 888 while the Secondary School Head Conference has donated P40 000,” she said. ENDS