The families of the three North West Grade 12 pupils who died in an accident recalled their excitement as they joined their peers on Friday for a trip to a resort near Brits that formed part of post-exam celebrations.
Little did the families of Isaac Nkosi, 18, Tshepiso Moagi, 20, and Amogelang Diphoko, 20, know it was the last time they would see the smiles on their faces. They were called to identify their lifeless bodies that evening.
Speaking on behalf of Diphoko’s family, Neo Sekano said it was difficult to come to terms with his sudden death.
“He was so excited about the trip, he even bought clothes during the week. We suggested that there was no need for him to leave, instead he could use the money for something else but he wanted to be with his friends. We could not believe it when we got a phone call on Friday saying that , that the taxi that Amogelang was travelling in was involved in an accident. We tried to call his phone but it was off. We could not go to the scene because we did not have transport. It was only the following day [Saturday] when we heard about his death,” she said.
Sekano said Diphoko, who wanted to be a lawyer, had promised to take his mother out of the shack they were living in and build her a proper house.
Moagi’s sister, Boitumelo, said it had been painful to see his lifeless body at the accident scene.
“I still can’t believe that we will never see him again. He was full of jokes, always with a happy face. I remember when he asked me to save money for him for a driver’s licence because he wanted to join the police force or South African National Defence Force. The family is truly devastated about his passing,” Boitumelo said.
The Nkosi family was not available for comment yesterday.
The North West education department said Nkosi, Moagi and Diphoko were certified dead on the scene after their taxi overturned along the R51.
Education MEC Mmaphefo Matsemela said the department was devastated by the sudden death of the three pupils.
“They spent 13 years in our schools and we never anticipated to part ways with them in this manner. We have established a team which will investigate the trip. We have another team that will work with the families to organise the preparations for the funeral,” Matsemela said.
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