Community mourns: Vaal candlelight vigil honours 12 young lives lost
Churches, taxi associations, and community organisations united on 20 January in solidarity to help transport mourners to the crash site and make sure they could attend.
Image: Facebook
The Vaal community gathered under the glow of candlelight in Vanderbijlpark on Tuesday evening to honour the lives of 12 learners who died in a devastating road accident earlier this week.
The memorial service was held in the wake of Monday, January 19, when a 22-year-old private scholar transport driver crashed head-on with an oncoming truck after attempting to pass four cars. The twelfth child died in the hospital, while eleven children died on the spot.
Churches, taxi associations, and community organisations united on 20 January in solidarity to help transport mourners to the crash site and make sure they could attend.
Image: Faacebook
Churches, taxi associations, and community organisations united in solidarity to help transport mourners to the crash site and make sure they could attend the vigil. As prayers were said at the accident scene, hymns reverberated throughout the vicinity.
Led by the Methodist Church, the service became a powerful moment of collective grief, reflection, and unity, as residents stood shoulder to shoulder, lighting candles and comforting one another.
Emfuleni Council Speaker Sibongile Soxuza was among those who attended the memorial, offering her condolences to the bereaved families and the community.
“My condolences go out to all the families, friends, and the entire community affected by this devastating loss. This is a profound tragedy, and the community’s response through vigils and memorials reflects our shared grief and our responsibility to support one another during this painful time,” she said.
Messages of sympathy poured in from across South Africa and beyond, with many who could not attend the service expressing their support on social media.
Nontando Lang wrote, “Condolences to all families and friends of the learners and the entire community. South Africans are all crying for the loss of these innocent souls. It is not easy to accept, but God is in control. May the Lord heal every parent who lost a child. May their souls rest in peace.”
Residents stood shoulder to shoulder, lighting candles and consoling one another during the Methodist Church-led service, which turned into a potent moment of shared grief, introspection, and solidarity.
Image: Gauteng Province
Bishop Bafana Stephen Zondo, the leader of the Rivers of Living Waters Church, came to Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark to pray and encourage learners. Three learners from the school were among the twelve who were killed on Monday morning when a scholar transport vehicle and a truck collided in Vanderbijlpark.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
VAGa from Zambia said, “This accident really breaks me. It is painful. Rest in peace, young ones.”
Irene Clote from Namibia added, “I am praying for you. Lots of love. May God Almighty comfort and console your hearts.”
Natalie Snyman reflected the nation’s sorrow, saying, “This is a heartbreaking day for the affected families, and it feels as though the entire country is mourning the loss of these young lives.”
Bishop Bafana Stephen Zondo, the leader of the Rivers of Living Waters Church, came to Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark to pray and encourage students. Three learners, of the twelve, were killed on Monday morning when a scholar transport vehicle and a truck collided in Vanderbijlpark.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
Meanwhile, Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko visited Sebokeng Hospital to assess the condition of the three learners who survived the crash and remain under medical care.
She met with healthcare professionals and received detailed briefings on the children’s condition and treatment progress. Hospital staff confirmed that every effort is being made to ensure the injured learners receive comprehensive medical care and psychosocial support as they continue their recovery.
The 22-year-old driver involved in the crash, who did not have a valid Professional Driving Permit (PDP) after it expired in November 2025, is expected to make his first appearance at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, January 22.
He faces 12 counts of culpable homicide as investigations into the cause of the accident continue. Community leaders have confirmed that more candlelight memorial services will be held across the Vaal in the coming days, allowing residents, schools, and faith-based organisations further opportunities to honour the learners and support their grieving families.
The ANC and MK Party will be holdingsimilar gatherings today.