16 Jul 2026

Tomorrow marks another phase of the National Healing, Remembrance and Closure Programme, which seeks to assist communities, institutions and families affected by traumatic events to find healing while preserving the memory of those who were lost.

The programme, which kick started last week Thursday, takes the nation to Garanta Cemetry in Molepolole for the Tombstone Unveiling and Memorial Monument  event for the 44 members of St Engenas Zion Christian Church and their bus driver who lost their lives in a horrific accident on March 28, 2024, when traveling to Moria for the annual Easter pilgrimage.

The bus plummeted 50 metres into a ravine before blasting into flames on the Mmamatlakala bridge in Limpopo, South Africa, leaving only one survivor, a little girl who at the time was aged 8 years.  

The victims were laid to rest in Molepolole, while the driver was buried in his home village of Thamaga.

The tragedy saw the compassion of Batswana, as the nation came together to remember the lost souls and one official said during the burial ceremony, fifing go tshwaranwa ka kobo, meaning a friend in need is a friend indeed. 

It is on this background that First Lady Kaone Boko embarked on a journey of remembering those departed, stand with their families to help them heal and enable them to finally get closure. 

Kweneng District Council Chairperson Mr Ontefetse Rankhibidu said preparations were at advanced stage with 44 tombstones erected in Molepolole and the other in Thamaga, which would be unveiled by the First Lady.  

He said the programme for the day was expected to start at Molepolole Sports Complex where different speakers, including experts in psychosocial support would deliver messages aimed at healing and recovery.  Mr Rankhibidu said the day’s activities would be led by the First Lady and there was hope that President Advocate Duma Boko would also be in attendance.

He said the programme would conclude with the unveiling of the tombstones at the cemetery, adding that the cemetery part of the event would be attended by the deceased families and selected dignitaries, while the public would only attend the start of the programme at Molepolole Sports Complex. He said the general public were invited to be in attendance as the psychosocial support event offering healing and closure will not only be extended to family members and relatives of the deceased.

Mr Rankhibidu added that the programme was targeting all who might be carrying a heavy burden or undergoing any form of difficulty and in need of closure and rejuvenation.

He said core to the event would be healing, therefore different speakers including pastors, psychologists and motivation will be delivered to offer hope and a renewed lease in life.

Mr Rankhibidu said the church would equally play a leading role in the programme, recollecting that the bus accident occurred in South Africa at Mmamatlakala as the deceased were among the St Engenas (ZCC) congregation on an Easter Holiday pilgrimage.

Concerning government’s contribution to the event post the accident, Mr Rankhibidu applauded First Lady’s office for having found it fit to engage the affected families and the nation as a while through a programme aimed at healing following the loss of family members and any other challenges emanating from other societal challenges.    

Mr Rankhibidu said the programme augmented what government was already doing in supporting the affected families, adding that post the unveiling, the affected family members will be assessed on a case by case programme to ensure that each individual was accorded counselling through a tailor made programme.ENDS