THE FIVE ANC members who died in a tragic bus crash were laid to rest on Saturday, 20 January.
The mass funeral service of Mashao Setabola (35), Mosima Makganyoga (32), Mapula Rakubu (40), Margaret Rakubu (46) and Manti Mafomo (39) was held at Eisleben Sports Ground in Botlokwa, Limpopo.
The people died in a horrific accident on Saturday, 13 January, along the R71 road in Magoebaskloof outside Polokwane while on their way to Mbombela, Mpumalanga, for the ANC’s 112th anniversary rally and January 8th statement.
Families, friends and relatives were among hundreds of mourners who came together to bid farewell to their loved ones and fallen heroes.
The mood was sombre as the coffins were taken out of hearses to be lined up in front of the podium, and emotions began running high as heartbroken family members couldn’t hold back their tears of sorrow.
Family members and villagers said they are still struggling to accept that their loved ones are gone.
Representing the bereaved families, Sello Setabola thanked the support and prayers they received.
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“Let’s stay strong for our families, for this is the will of God. We cried the whole week, so today we are celebrating their lives so that they can rest in peace,” he said.
Heartbroken villager Nakedi Seroba (37) said they were expecting to continue with the work of the ANC with the members.
“Our hearts are sore, and it will take time to heal,” she said.
Limpopo Premier and ANC’s provincial chairman, Stan Mathabatha, said they lost soldiers, agents of change and revolutionaries.
“They changed people’s lives, and that is why we should celebrate them. In the ANC, we mourn the death, and we also celebrate revolutionaries,” he said.
When delivering his eulogy, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula said the five members were committed volunteers of the party.
“They left us at a time when we needed them most. We must remember the fallen heroes and respect them, and we are very sorry to the families. They must draw solace in the knowledge that they are not alone. We will work for the victory of the ANC in their honour,” he said.
