Johannesburg – An inter-faith memorial service for the 22 victims of the Nigeria tragedy, who lived in Gauteng, was held at Johannesburg City Hall on Thursday.
The 22 are among the 74 who were repatriated to South Africa at the weekend. They died when a guesthouse they were staying in, in Lagos, collapsed on 12 September.
Premier David Makhura described the memorial as painful yet still a relief.
“We gathered here today because tragedy has struck our nation and we have lost 22 of our own. We come together today to show you, the families that you are not alone… we are a government that cares,” said the Premier, speaking in seSotho.
He said the victims had died in the service of their Lord and in search of His name. The guesthouse was attached at the Synagogue Church of All Nations.
The Premier commended the families for the patience they have shown and the trust they put in government during the two months it took to positively identify the bodies following the tragedy.
He thanked all those who had supported the families, saying this was an example of ubuntu.
The Gauteng Provincial Government has given an undertaking to work tirelessly to ensure that remaining victims are identified and brought home for burial. “We should pray for the remaining 11 families who are still waiting for loved ones.”
Addressing those gathered at the memorial service, Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau said the heart of the nation was heavy.
He said the families needed moral and spiritual support. “As a nation, we are with the families and we will keep them in our prayers.”
Provincial Legislature Speaker Ntombi Mekgwe used the opportunity to comfort the mourners, saying the entire province grieved along with the families of those who died.
“As we cry we also celebrate the lives lived… and praise the Lord … Kulungile Baba [meaning it is well - it has been done],” she said.
She hoped the families would find peace.
As the names of the victims were read out, there was an outpouring of emotion in the section where the more than 40 family members were seated. Counsellors were at hand to assist the grieving families.
The provincial government said they would continue to offer support to the families.
Social workers have been assigned to each of the affected families to provide psycho-social services on a continuous basis. – SAnews.gov.za
