The North West Education and Sport Development MEC, Maphefo Matsemela put everything aside from her tight schedule and visited the three learners admitted at Klerksdorp Hospital and Tshepong Hospital in Jouberton respectively and the families of the deceased learners on Monday, 4 August 2015.
The North West School for the Deaf learners got involved in an accident when their mini bus kombi lost control and rolled several times on the road between Orkney and Loudoringstad killing two learners (Neo Lekalakala 22 years old and Kamogelo Mokowe 20 years old) and one assistant teacher (Thabo Batshe 31 years old) instantly on Sunday morning.
The seven learners and their two teachers were travelling back from Durban after attending the two days hospitality course arranged by a Deaf Friendly organization. Normally the learners attend these courses to upgrade their skills in cooking and food preparing according to their study programme.
The three learners visited by MEC Matsemela mostly sustained head injuries and some bruises in their bodies. The doctors treating them assured parents and the MEC Matsemela that the learners’ conditions will improve with time.
MEC Matsemela comforted the parents in hospital and also indicated that the department is behind them and that they are not alone. She told them that in June she was also involved in an accident whereby she sustained serious head injuries but with time she recovered.
MEC Matsemela finished her day by visiting the family of the assistant teacher who resided at Montshiwa in Mafikeng. She comforted them and told them that the department will assist all the bereaved with the funeral arrangements.
The memorial service for the assistant teacher and the two learners will be held Thursday, 6 August 2015 at North West School for the Deaf, Loudoringstad next to Wolmaranstad, North West Province.
The funeral arrangements for the Assistant Teacher and Learners are as follows:
Assistant Teacher: Thabo Batshe
Time: 7h00
Date: 8 August 2015
Venue: 2680 Hendrick Tlou Street, Montshiwa (Mafikeng)
Learner: Neo Kgakala
Date: Sunday, 09 August 2015
Venue: House No: 1204 Newtown Section, Bapong in (Brits)
Learner: Kamogelo Mokowe
Date: 8 August 2015
Venue: House No: 10444, Dikoipi in Moruleng Village (Saulspoort)
