It was a sombre day at Wits University when a commemorative march was held for the seven students who died in an accident. The march was held at the great hall on 6 May.
The students died on 1 may when they were travelling back from Limpopo after a prayer meeting. The minibus they were travelling in crashed into a stationary trailer that was on the road. The crash subsequently caused the minibus to burst into flames.
On the day of the commemorative march, students and staff alike gathered outside the great hall stairs. Here they watched as family members of the dead students stood on the stairs with a banner written ‘remember the seven’.
The families were flanked with support and prayers from all who gathered to support them in this difficult time. The commemorative march was joined by those who both knew the students and those who did not.
Sbonagele Nchanda, a student at Wits, said that the day for him was very emotional. He noted how gathering in such circumstances is not pleasant. “It was emotional for all who are here; yet in the same breath, it is great to see all the students here together, with all our different cultures, to come and show our support and share our sympathies,” said Nchanda.
On the day, the pillars of the great hall were draped in black cloth. Wits SRC president, Nompendulo Mkhatshwa said that the great hall pillars symbolise the university and the strength it embodies. “If any part of the university is removed, the university itself is weakened and that is the meaning behind covering the great hall pillars with black cloth,” said Mkhatshwa.
Another student who joined the commemorative march, Thato Mokoena, said that even though it was a very emotional time for everyone, it was very warming to see everyone gathered together. “Today just showed the amount of togetherness we have as the student body. Even though it is impossible to know 33 000 students, it is good to see that we can all be unified,” said Mokoena.
Details: Wits University, 011 717 1888.
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