Zanele Mphombeni, the mother of a four-year-old, was one of the people who survived the Nigeria tragedy when a hostel building collapsed at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) on September 12.
She returned to South Africa on September 17 and is recovering well.
Speaking from Giyani, she told Review she was happy to be back at home with her family.
“The first thing I wanted to do was to hug my children. It was about 13:00 during our lunchtime that it happened. I couldn’t believe my eyes!
“I feel better now, but it was a very traumatic and life-changing experience, which I just want to forget and move on from. I am just thankful to the Lord that I am alive and back at home with my husband and children,” Mphombeni said.
Also in the tragedy, four children from Polokwane were orphaned. The children, aged between five and 14-years-old are in their grandparents’ care. The family is very traumatised after their loss and did not want to comment on the matter. A family friend told Review that it was a very difficult time for the family and they did not wish to be disturbed by the media. The friend confirmed that their funeral would be this weekend.
Review received information that one of the children is a learner at Trinity Primary School. Charmaine Botha, owner of Trinity Primary School and Little Blessings Pre-school, said they were very sad about what happened.
“They were very loving people and we will miss them very much. We keep the family in our prayers.”
More than 20 Limpopo residents were involved in the tragedy and a Polokwane-based travel agency, Voxismart Travel, confirmed that one of their tour groups stayed at the SCOAN at the time the building collapsed, but did not offer any specific details.
Adéle van der Linde, spokesperson for the department of social development, said a task team from the national joint operational centre visited the province on Tuesday to meet with the families affected by the tragedy and to assess the need, if any, for social relief of distress like food parcels or help with burials.
“We have offered trauma counselling to survivors and the deceased persons’ families of whom we have been made aware of up to now. We are still awaiting the official list of survivors, deceased and orphaned children. As far as orphaned children are concerned, the team and the department will assess the needs of the children and will facilitate the fostering process, including foster care grants,” Van der Linde explained.
