community mourning Archives - MDNtv

Mass Funeral For Family Of Six Who Died In A Car Crash

Philani Mzila — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 09:07:13 +0000

The mass funeral of the six family members who tragically lost their lives in the horrific N2 road crash in Mtubatuba on Friday, 30 January, will be held at Mawombe Stadium – Umfolozi Local Municipality on Sunday,sa 8 February 2026.

The Nyatee Foundation has expressed its profound sorrow and deepest condolences to the loved ones. The lives lost include Mama Nokuphakama “MaMdletshe” Mnyango (85), Mama Makhosi kaMnyango Mthembu (52), Mvuyani Gcaleka (43), Senamile Buthelezi (29), Ayanda Pearl Mthembu (12), and Banzi Buthelezi (6).

This devastating incident has left an entire community in mourning and disbelief, as families grapple with an immeasurable loss that words alone cannot heal.

Moved by compassion and a deep sense of humanity, the Nyatee Foundation recently visited the bereaved families to offer heartfelt support, comfort, and solidarity during this incredibly painful time. The Foundation’s delegation spent time with the families, listening to their stories, sharing in their grief, and offering emotional, spiritual, and material support to help ease the burden of their suffering. The Nyatee Foundation has also extended its hand towards assisting with burial arrangements and thereafter.

“This is not just a tragedy; it is a wound that cuts through the heart of the community. The loss of six lives in one family is unimaginable. No parent, child, sibling, or relative should ever have to endure such pain. As a Foundation, we believe that compassion must move beyond words into action. Our presence here is a commitment to walk alongside these families, not only today, but in the days, weeks, and months ahead,” Nyatee Foundation spokesperson, Thobile Mchunu, shared.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Lindelani Gcaleka said they are at a loss for words.

“It has been devastating. I do not have the words to describe what we witnessed at the scene of the accident. The car was a total write-off, and some of the members were disfigured. We do not wish this even on our enemies. We wake up every day thinking that it is a lie. We are truly heartbroken.”

The Nyatee Foundation emphasized the importance of collective care, unity, and community healing, calling on local leaders, organisations, faith-based institutions, and community members to come together in love and support for the grieving families. The Foundation highlighted that healing is a journey that requires patience, understanding, and consistent support.

Beyond the visit, the Nyatee Foundation has committed to ongoing assistance, ensuring that the family is not left alone to face the long road of recovery and healing. This support forms part of the Foundation’s broader mission to serve communities in times of crisis, restore dignity, and uphold the values of empathy, compassion, and social responsibility

“In moments like these, humanity must speak louder than despair. We stand in solidarity with the families of Mtubatuba. Their pain is our pain, and their healing matters to all of us.”

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Tears and Heartbreak as Sebokeng Says Goodbye to Three Young Souls Lost in Vanderbijlpark Crash

Tshepiso Mofokeng — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 17:07:19 +0000

Grief hung heavy in the air as families, friends and community members gathered in Sebokeng to bid farewell to three young lives taken far too soon in a tragic school transport crash near Vanderbijlpark.

At the centre of the heartbreak was six-year-old Ofentse Vinger. His mother’s pain echoed through the Saul Tsotetsi Multipurpose Centre as her letter was read aloud, revealing a grief too deep for words. She spoke of sleepless nights, unanswered prayers, and a desperate wish that someone would wake her up from what feels like a never-ending nightmare. Ofentse had only attended school for three days before his life was cruelly cut short.

Lined up beside his small casket were those of Thato Moetjie and Bokamoso Mokhobo, both learners from Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark. Together, they were remembered not just as victims of a crash, but as children full of promise, laughter and dreams.

The tragedy occurred on January 19 as the pupils were travelling to school along the R553 when their minibus taxi collided with a truck. Fourteen learners lost their lives that morning, sending shockwaves through families, schools and the nation. The driver of the scholar transport has since been arrested and faces multiple charges.

Thato, who was just weeks away from writing her final matric exams, was remembered as a confident and determined young woman with dreams of studying abroad and becoming a doctor. Those who knew her spoke of her warm laughter and her ability to light up any room she entered. Her absence has left a painful silence in her classroom and a deep wound in the hearts of her loved ones.

Bokamoso, only 13 years old, had just begun her high school journey. Known for her bubbly personality, love for dance and positive attitude, she was a child whose energy and optimism touched everyone around her. At home, music and movement were her joy, moments now held tightly as treasured memories by her family.

As prayers were offered and tears flowed freely, the community stood united in mourning — parents holding onto one another, classmates struggling to understand loss, and families facing a future forever changed. The farewell served as a painful reminder of fragile young lives lost on an ordinary journey to school, and of dreams that will never be realised.

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VANDERBIJLPARK CRASH | JOINT FUNERAL SERVICE FOR LEARNERS

MDNtv — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 07:19:28 +0000

A joint funeral service for learners who lost their lives following the tragic Vanderbijlpark crash is being held today in Sebokeng in the Vaal.

Community members, education officials, and government representatives have gathered to pay their final respects as families and schools continue to mourn the loss.

The incident has deeply affected the Vanderbijlpark area, once again raising concerns around learner safety and road conditions.

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𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬.
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Sydney mourns as 12-year-old boy dies days after shark attack in harbour

Tshepiso Mofokeng — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 06:17:18 +0000

A 12-year-old boy who was critically injured in a shark attack in Sydney Harbour last week has died in hospital, leaving his family and community devastated.

Nico Antic was swimming with friends on 18 January, jumping from a rock ledge into the water, when he was bitten by a shark believed to be a bull shark. He was rushed to Sydney Children’s Hospital with severe leg injuries and placed in an induced coma after emergency surgery.

His parents, Lorena and Juan, confirmed his death in a heartfelt statement, describing Nico as a joyful, kind, and energetic boy who loved sport and life. They said he would always be remembered for his generous spirit and bright personality.

Friends who were with Nico at the time of the attack were praised for their bravery after they immediately jumped into the water to help him and get him to safety.

The incident was one of several shark attacks reported along the New South Wales coast in a short period, raising alarm among beachgoers and authorities. In the days following Nico’s attack, multiple people were bitten in separate incidents, with some suffering serious, life-altering injuries.

Marine experts say recent heavy rainfall may have contributed to the increase in shark activity. Murky water conditions and the movement of nutrients closer to shore are known to attract bull sharks, which often swim in shallow coastal areas.

In response, several Sydney beaches were temporarily closed as a precaution, though many have since reopened ahead of the Australia Day long weekend.

An online fundraiser set up to support Nico’s family has drawn widespread support, raising hundreds of thousands as messages of sympathy pour in from across Australia and beyond.

Nico’s death has deeply shaken the community, prompting renewed conversations about beach safety and the unpredictable risks of Australia’s coastal waters.

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VAAL COMMUNITY MOURNS 12 LEARNERS LOST IN DEVASTATING SCHOOL CRASH

MDNtv — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 08:13:45 +0000

A heart wrenching candlelight vigil was held to honour the young learners who lost their lives in a tragic scholar transport crash on the R553 near Vanderbijlpark.

The crash claimed the lives of 12 learners during the morning school run, leaving families, classmates and communities across the Vaal in deep mourning. Parents, teachers, community leaders and fellow pupils gathered in solemn remembrance, lighting candles and sharing memories of the children whose lives were cut short.

Support teams from the Gauteng Department of Education were on site to provide psychosocial support as investigations revealed troubling details about the safety of the scholar transport vehicle involved.

This tragedy has reignited urgent calls for stricter regulation and oversight of scholar transport services to protect learners across South Africa.

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WATCH | Funeral Service of Brian Thami Owen Hlongwa

MDNtv — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 07:52:11 +0000

Family, friends, and community members gathered for the funeral service of Brian Thami Owen Hlongwa, as loved ones paid their final respects and celebrated his life.

The service was marked by heartfelt tributes, prayers, and moments of reflection, highlighting the impact he had on those around him.

Our condolences go out to the Hlongwa family and all who are mourning during this difficult time.

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Bondi Beach in Mourning After Father and Son Kill 15 at Hanukkah Gathering, Sparking Calls for Tougher Gun Laws

Tshepiso Mofokeng — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 09:51:50 +0000

Bondi Beach, one of Sydney’s most loved public spaces, has been plunged into grief after a deadly shooting that claimed the lives of 15 people attending a Hanukkah celebration.

Police have confirmed the attackers were a father and son, identified by local media as Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son, Naveed. The older man was killed at the scene, while his son remains in critical condition in hospital.

The victims were targeted because they were Jewish, turning a peaceful religious gathering into a scene of terror. Those killed include a 10-year-old girl, a British-born rabbi, a retired police officer, a Holocaust survivor, and community members who had gathered with their families to celebrate the festival of light.

Witnesses described panic as gunfire erupted, with people running, screaming and desperately seeking cover. One bystander, fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed, was filmed bravely tackling one of the gunmen and wresting the weapon from him. His parents later revealed he was shot four or five times in the shoulder while trying to save others.

As the community struggles to process the tragedy, tributes have flooded Bondi Beach. Hundreds gathered at the Bondi Pavilion, laying flowers, lighting candles and holding Jewish and Australian flags. A handwritten sign placed among the bouquets read: “We stand united, no more hate, more love.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the attack as a “dark day in Australia’s history” and said his government would push for tougher gun laws. It has emerged that the older attacker held a firearms licence for recreational hunting, raising urgent questions about gun access and public safety.

Jewish leaders have spoken of fear and heartbreak, warning that the need for constant security at public Jewish gatherings signals a deeper failure in society. Muslim organisations across Australia have also strongly condemned the attack, stressing that antisemitism and violence threaten all Australians.

As investigations continue, Australia mourns lives lost, celebrates acts of courage, and faces renewed calls to confront hate, extremism and gun violence before more lives are taken.

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