Hundreds pay tribute to ‘loving, friendly’ Cuburne (5)
The Mayor of Ekurhuleni, Mondli Gungubele, and MMC for Community Safety, Mthuthuzeli Siboza, joined the community of Reiger Park and Ramaphosa to pay respect to the late three-year-old Cuburne van Wyk on Thursday, August 14.
Speaking at the little boy’s memorial service, Gungubele demanded the truth on what really happened to Curburne. The mayor called on all people to unite as humans and not as political parties to fight this absurd criminality, saying humanity must precede political membership.
Gungubele said no amount of speech can stop this scourge but only a united people with a shared vision of a criminal-free society.
“We are in papers and on television for the wrong reasons. Every time we get publicity it is about how the danger our children face.
“I think no form of speech will stop these things from happening. It’s only when we realise that God is calling us to sober up, to come to terms with the fact that human-beings have got a special responsibility on earth, and their responsibility is different from that of animals.
“God has given human-beings the talent, power and brains to keep themselves safe, especially their children. The biggest problem in the past couple of months is that we behave as helpless creatures,” says Gungubele.
He commended the community for their restraint amid these acts of vicious crime against children, while encouraging the police to continue working hard to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Children from several local crèches, as well as children from Noncedo Pre School, where Cuburne attended, were also present.
Cuburne was described as a loving, friendly, affectionate and energetic boy.
Several community leaders, including pastors, ward Clr Charlie Crawford and the Ekurhuleni ANC Women’s League representatives used the platform to make their voices heard.
The little boy will be laid to rest on Saturday, August 16. His funeral service will be held at the Old Apostolic Church in Reiger Park.
