Alex commemorates the learners who lost their lives in 1987
This year marks 35 years since 14 learners from Alex High went on a Ninja trip and never returned home.
On May 28, the families of Alexandra High School learners who died in a bus accident on May 22, 1987, attended their graves at an event held in Alex.
For the survivors, their families and the community, the wounds of the tragic accident that claimed the lives of 14 learners were still visible 35 years later, said Mme Nkepile Masike, the event organiser.
“My sister’s first-born daughter also died in that accident, and every time I visit her grave my heart breaks because I realise that these children have been forgotten in Alex and that is why I decided to do something like this, to honour their memory and also to remind the community of Alexandra,” added Masike.
Masike expressed her gratitude to Lebohang Maile, a son of the soil in Alex, and also Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Urban Planning, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs who sponsored the event. Also, one of the well-known Alex families who attended the event, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Obed Bapela, his wife Palesa Ngomane and his son Vusi.
The event began at Alexandra Heritage Museum where former Alex High teacher Sindy Radley revisited the tragic day.
Radley narrated the story of the accident as told to her by her daughter who was a survivor of the accident. She revealed that as a teacher, she was the one who was sent to inform the families of the accident victims.
The event later proceeded to Alex Cemetery where the families and the survivors did a symbolic cleaning of the graves. Of the 14 learners who died, only eight were buried at the cemetery.
The survivors have urged other survivors out there to contact Hlehle Ngubane at 074 963 2993 or Mme Nkepile Masike at 076 876 5485 so they can reunite and make the next commemoration together.
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