Northern Cape Premier, Honourable Dipuo Peters on the passing on of three
learners at the Groenpunt Primary School
16 August 2006
The bereaved family and relatives
The Principal and educators
Learners
The community at large
It is with great sadness and sorrow that we have received the news of the
passing on of the three learners. It is even more disheartening that the
learners lost their lives in such a tragic manner.
I wish to express our acute consciousness of the intense pain you must have
felt and continue to experience as you contemplate a life without such young
lives.
As the people of the province, we too share your pain at the tragic
departure of your loved ones. We also understand that it is difficult to accept
this misfortune that has created an enormous void in the life of our community
and the school.
Recently we appealed for extra vigilance to parents and guardians who
supervise children especially our people who reside at informal settlements
where there is no electricity.
We pleaded with parents not to leave their children unattended by an
adult.
We extended a stern warning and advice to parents or child minders to
exercise extra caution and be alert at all times especially during winter when
our people resort to extreme forms of heating up to beat the harsh winter
weather.
Childrenâs lives are becoming increasingly vulnerable in cases where they
have to look after themselves without adult supervision.
While we do not wish to apportion blame on any one for negligence in this
particular case, we do however hope that our people will pay attention to the
safety warnings we are making for their own safety and that of their
families.
Our innocent have now passed on to another world where only the gods and the
spirits live eternally.
Whilst we know that this grief will pass and become part of our past,
confirming our own mortality, we hope the bereaved families will be consoled by
the fact that we share in their loss and pain.
Their untimely death offers us as a nation; an opportunity to focus on the
well being of our children whose future is entrusted in all of us collectively.
A future that is free of harm and danger.
On behalf of the Northern Cape Government and the people of our province, I
take this opportunity to bid farewell to these innocent young people whose life
had to end dreadfully.
To the family and relatives, be guided by the words of a famous writer who
once wrote:
If God brings you to this, He will bring you through it
In happy moments, praise God
In difficult moments, seek God
In quite moments, worship God
In painful moments, trust God
But every moment, thank God
May their souls rest in peace.
Issued by: Northern Cape Provincial Government
16 August 2006
