A house mother and 18 children who survived a fire that gutted an orphanage in Paarl on Monday have bid a sad farewell to their “little angel”, Jacob Bongco, who didn’t make it out of the blaze alive.
Yesterday, family, friends and community members gathered at Jacob’s funeral in Mbekweni Hall. The home’s youngest child would have turned two in October.
The Bavumeleni Safety House in Mbekweni, known as Miriam’s after house mother Miriam Toni, is believed to have caught fire when a blaze started in a next-door shack.
The service started at the scene of the fire. Jacob’s tiny blue and white coffin was carried on to the charred ground by four older boys who also stayed at Bavumeleni Safe House. A white rose bush stood out in stark contrast against the black soot.
Father Mike Williams said they were here to celebrate the short life of an angel called Jacob. “This was the last place where he ran around and was happy.”
As the procession made their way to the hall for the service, house mother Miriam Toni broke down and nearly collapsed. She was helped to a car by members of the community.
At the Mbekweni Hall the children who lived with Jacob led the coffin, carrying lit candles. Up on the stage was a picture of the toddler sporting sun glasses and wearing a sports jacket.
A care worker, Joyce Kanana, spoke about how Jacob came to live with them. “A woman came straight to me at the house, put a child and a bag on the ground.”
Kanana picked up the child. “When I looked up she was out of the door. I thought she had gone to fetch something outside. I sent someone to check. But there was no one there. We were amazed. I looked for Miriam. I told her ‘here is a gift’. She couldn’t believe it. In the bag there was a letter. It said ‘Miriam please raise my child I am not well. I will fetch him when I feel better.’ There was also R20 and his clothes.”
She said she loved him the most. “He followed me wherever I went. And when I left the house he cried for me. The day of the fire I searched the neighbours’ houses. I couldn’t find him. When the fire brigade put out the fire they told us what happened. I was heart-broken. Jacob, you were my special angel.”
Jacob was buried at Wellington cemetery.
Outside the church Reverend Oscar Bougard said that the government needed to take responsibility for these “death traps”. “Miriam has waited three years for plans to be approved for a proper home for her children. Many promises have been made. Maybe now they will take action.”
Police spokesman Andre Traut said an inquest docket had been opened. - Saturday Argus