The service was held at the Actonville Community Centre, where scores of Etwatwa High School pupils, together with family members of both of the deceased, and Metrorail representatives, filled the centre to remember the learners.
The two boys, David Sibanda (17) and Kholwane Ntsele (16), who lived in Boksburg, were on their way to school when the incident occurred.
Police said they were walking between a set of tracks in Dunswart along with hundreds of other commuters who got off a Springs-bound train after it stopped for a red signal light, a few metres away from the Dunswart Station.
Boksburg SAPS spokesperson Lieut-Col Else Mashinini said a lot of commuters jumped off the train and started walking between the set of tracks towards the station because they were apparently late for work and school.
“The two boys followed and were hit by another train, coming from Johannesburg towards Springs,” said Mashinini.
School principal Magoshi Mahlase said it was a great loss to the school and he hoped the incident would make the Department of Education take learner transport seriously or build schools in areas where they reside.
Daniel Lekgema, David’s father, told the City Times at the memorial service that his heart was painful as he has suffered a great loss.
He said David was a boy who always listened and was very respectful.
“I will miss him a lot,” he said.
An employer of the mother of Kholwane Ntsele, who spoke on behalf of the family, said she came to know Kholwane when he was three years old.
“I watched him grow and watched as he helped his mommy hang the washing.
“I grew to be very proud of him; I was proud he was taking himself to school,” she said.
“He was an amazing young man and I hope he is at peace and that his mom is at peace too.”
A Metrorail employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said they are still investigating the incident.
David will be buried in Limpopo and Kholwane in KwaZulu-Natal.
Both funerals were due to take place on Saturday.
