Government’s efforts commendable!

The Monitor Editor | Tuesday April 9, 2024 08:58

Since the news broke, the government made sure to work hand in hand with the South African government to assist the families of the victims. The two countries came together to help the families identify the bodies of their loved ones through DNA testing. The government also announced that they would assist families with food for mourners before the funerals.

Even though the deceased persons were mostly residents of Molepolole, the government ensured that there were national memorial services across the country! Affected families were also provided with counselling, something commendable on the side of the government. In the same spirit, the South African government should also be commended for the assistance it provided. South Africa is going all out to ensure that families of the deceased get all the answers they deserve. This is a huge tragedy, perhaps the biggest to hit the country. It is going to take time for the pain to subside.

Some couples have left their children orphaned. Some mothers and fathers have also left a void in the lives of loved ones.

The likelihood of most of the victims being breadwinners is very high, and that would mean a lot of families are going to be negatively affected. How about those children who have lost their parents? How are they going to fend for themselves? This is indeed a very sad situation, and while the government's efforts thus far are commendable, they should go back to the families and make assessments on families that may need assistance going forward. Facebook was filled with RIP messages from some family members who have been affected. Some of their messages were indeed a cry for help! There was one heartbreaking message where a family member posted about her father, mother, younger sister, and aunt.

Her message was indeed heartbreaking, giving an idea of what the families are going through! The tragedy affected us all as Batswana, and we all came together to offer prayers to the affected families. Some questioned the church, saying their silence has been too much since 45 of their members died in a tragic accident on their way to attend a church event! While the South African leadership immediately visited the scene of the accident and offered condolences to the affected families, the church leadership has been unusually quiet, hence the outcry by members of the community. To the families of the affected: Please be comforted!