Young lives lost on the roads in the Greater Eldorado Park remembered by the community
Community stands together in tribute
Monday, June 3, marked the beginning of Child Road Safety Week. Community leaders, activists, Eldorado Park SAPS, the Department of Community Safety, Eldorado Park Traffic Solutions and Emergency Management Services joined forces to create awareness about the importance of road safety.
The Road Safety Week launch was an emotional one for the Eldorado Park community as they paid tribute to the many young lives lost on the roads in the Greater Eldorado Park.
Three wreaths were laid in memory of the children who lost their lives in Mohanie Cresent as well at the robots at the corner of the Main Road and Kremetart Street.
The first wreath was laid in memory of little Nia Jones, who was only six-years-old at the time of her death. She was on her way to school at Eldridge Primary, when the incident happened on November 12, 2014.
The second wreath was laid in the Main Road where 16-year-old Roekshana Pepper lost her life on May 18, 2019, after a hit-and-run.
Pepper was in Grade 10 and attended school at Willow Cresent Secondary. The third wreath was laid at the corner of Main and Kremetart in Extension Three in memory of three children; Liam Lubber, Lekeshia Lubber and Shaquila van Der West Huizen who lost their lives during a horrific accident just over two years ago.
[also read] – ‘Child Road Safety Week was a success’
Learners from Eldridge Primary and Willow Cresent Secondary were present at the wreath-laying ceremony to pay tribute to their classmates. Representatives from each school spoke about the lives of the friends they lost. The Jones family and Pepper family were present as well.
Local Drug Action Committee chairperson Cheryl Pillay said that it was important to start Child Road Safety Week with laying these wreaths.
“There are too many children who lose their lives on our roads every day. We want to show parents and families who have lost their children that we care and that they are not alone. Initiatives like this warm my heart, it’s amazing to see our community rally together and rise up to show support for these families,” said Pillay.
Ward councillor Fazel Jaffer was present as he encouraged residents to start taking responsibility. Jaffer spoke about the reality of many drivers who attain their driver’s licenses illegally.
“Very often licences are attained because of the connection, this needs to stop. I also urge parents not to allow their children to drive their cars without them getting the license,” said Jaffer.
Brigadier Van Dyk was also present. “From the police side, we will play our part as well.
“We will be roaming the streets and we will arrest drivers who are under the influence. Residents blatantly ignore the rules of the road, they will be dealt with accordingly,” said Van Dyk.
“I encourage residents to take pictures of registrations numbers and report it to the police,” he added.
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