Durban - The lives of four Victory Christian Academy pupils were celebrated with a memorial service at the school on Thursday, two weeks after they died in a horror accident near Ballito.
The girls, Caitlyn Oliver, 14, Tamia Sewparsad, 13, Saisha Shampersad, 14, and Andrea Thaver, 17, died when the school bus they were travelling in collided with a truck on the R102 in Compensation.
Mourners entering the venue were greeted by pictures of the girls’ smiling faces, lit by soft candlelight.
Speakers read passages from scripture as pupils, teachers and the girls’ families listened quietly in the La Lucia school hall on Thursday.
Heads were bowed and many dabbed their tears with tissues.
The community and representatives of schools across the province were present to pay tribute.
Graham Yoko, a school board member, said Thursday’s service was a “celebration” of the youngsters’ lives.
“We are reminded of the fact that God’s timing is something that we don’t understand but it is something that is perfect … Parents, this is not an easy time. Our hearts are with you as you go through this healing process,” he said.
Victory Christian Academy principal Vernon David said the loss of the four pupils had “devastated” the school and would “forever be intertwined in the DNA of Victory Christian Academy”.
“Though we mourn today and for a little while, this type of tragedy is not in vain. God does not waste a wound,” he said, adding that he hoped the families would find solace in God.
Head girl Unathi Matyana paid a moving a tribute to each of her friends.
“Caitlyn showed us to stick out from the crowd. Tamia showed us to be unique. Saisha showed us to never procrastinate. Andrea showed us to love no matter what, ‘to look at a person’s heart despite their limitations’.
“They left us too soon, but God’s purpose was fulfilled,” she said, succumbing to the grief she had managed to contain during her speech.
Pastors John Jennings and Ralph Ellaya preached consoling words for the pupils and bereaved families.
An injured teacher and another pupil are said to be recovering in hospital.
The Mercury