The Gauteng Department of Education has released the names of the learners who tragically lost their lives in the scholar transport accident that occurred on Monday, January 19, in Vanderbijlpark.
The devastating crash, involving a private scholar transport vehicle and a side tipper truck on Fred Droste Road, claimed the lives of 12 learners, sending shockwaves through school communities across the Vaal region and the province at large.
The learners, described by the department as the cherished sons and daughters of their communities, attended various primary and secondary schools in Vanderbijlpark and surrounding areas. Their ages ranged from Grade 1 to Grade 11.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for urgent and coordinated action to improve scholar transport safety following a tragic accident that claimed the lives of pupils travelling to school in Vanderbijlpark earlier this week.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the 2026 Basic Education Sector Lekgotla in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, on Wednesday, the President said the loss of young lives has deeply affected the nation.
“We are immensely and deeply pained, and I’m glad that the Minister [of Basic Education] went to visit the families of the children. There’s nothing as painful as having to deal with the death of your prized possession — your child. [They] are still young, and you have to bury [them],” he said.
Those who lost their lives have been identified as:
- Buhle Radebe (Grade 11), Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark;
- Bokamoso Mokhobo (Grade 8), Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark;
- Sibongile Madonsela (Grade 10), Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark;
- Leano Moiloa (Grade 8), Vaal High School;
- Lesego Sefatsa (Grade 2), Oakwood Primary School;
- Letlotho Katlego Makwe (Grade 2), Vaal Triangle Primary School;
- Ofentse Jayden Vinger (Grade 1), Oliver Lodge Primary School;
- Lindokuhle Mabaso (Grade 5), Noordhoek Primary School;
- Pheello Motaung (Grade 11), El-Shaddai Christian School;
- Puleng Maphalla (Grade 11), El-Shaddai Christian School;
- Naledi Motsapi (Grade 10), El-Shaddai Christian School; and
- Bohlale Lekekela (Grade 1), El-Shaddai Christian School.
The Gauteng Department of Education said the learners’ dreams, potential and youthful energy will forever remain part of the province’s collective memory.
Condolences have continued to pour in from government officials, educators, parents and members of the public.
“The department extended its deepest sympathies to the families, school communities, educators and classmates affected by the tragedy, assuring them of ongoing psychosocial support during this difficult period,” Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona stated.
Meanwhile, investigations into the cause of the accident are continuing, with police and relevant authorities working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the accident. Videos of the incident have been circulating on social media and families, including government have appealed to the public to not share the footage.
As Gauteng mourns the loss of young lives taken too soon, communities across the province have been urged to keep the affected families in their thoughts and prayers.
If you want, I can also:
Prepare a memorial-style sidebar for print
Write a short tribute post for Facebook
Adapt this for a front-page follow-up
Add a school-by-school breakdown
Just say the word.
