20 Jan 2022

The five children who drowned in the Mosope River will be laid to rest in Moshupa on Saturday.

The quintuple, four girls and a boy, Ayanda and Leo Taolo, Tlotso, Anele and Ame Mpedi, all aged around seven drowned in the river and their bodies were found by a passerby the same day last week.

A family representative, Mr Billy Taolo, said this at a memorial service organised by Kgabophuti Primary School teachers to honour the young victims.

He expressed gratitude on the messages of condolence and described the loss as dreadful to the family.

“We are speechless and at a loss for words, but we are thankful for the messages of condolence from churches and various institutions,” he said.

He also thanked the public for the support they rendered them, adding that the incident has had an affect not only them, but the entire nation.“Your support will give us strength to make it through,” he said.

In her remarks on behalf of Kgabophuti  teachers, Ms Peggy Relaeng said although some of the children had only attended school for two days, she was already accustomed to Ayanda and Ame who were recently admitted at their school.

She described Anele as a brilliant pupil, saying she taught her last year.

Ms Relaeng also said they were yet to meet Tlotso as he was enrolled to attend reception classes at their school.

“They will be remembered for being bright young children and were loved by all,” she said.

She appealed to the family not to blame themselves, saying the accident was beyond their control.

Ms Relaeng pleaded for prayers as they had over a short period of time tragically lost teachers and pupils.

Seventh Day Adventist Church Evangelist, Mr Ephraim Maboane said they understood the grief and anguish that has overcome the family as a result of the tragic loss.

He urged them not to despair and to believe in God.

Kanye Minister’s Fraternal, Thamaga BDF Officers Society, Moshupa Seventh Day Adventist Church also held sermons at home to support the family. Ends