It becomes even worse when a loved one is lost in a horrific car crash. It is even more heart breaking that 45 Batswana lives were lost in such a tragic manner on an Easter pilgrimage enroute to a place considered so holly, Moria.
When 45 coffins were lowered from two cargo airplanes, the sight left many Batswana shuttered. A painful reality struck.
It has been weeks of tears, sadness and grief and one could tell by looking at the families of the victims that it has been an emotionally unbearable experience.
Grief is such a strange burden to bear and from experience, the reality is that grieving can take forever. There is no such thing as getting over the loss of a loved one. You learn to live with it, you heal and continue with life as hard as it may be.
Losing 45 lives in a small population like Botswana where majority of the people are connected as relatives, friends and colleagues at church or work can be a challenge. Forty-five lives are one too many and the sight of 45 coffins is something that will remain indelible in the minds of many for a long time.
The accident is one of a kind and the one the nation has never experienced. Losing 45 lives at a go has been the hardest blow not only for the families of the victims and the St. Engenas Zion Christian Church (ZCC), but the nation at large. It was a nation’s loss no wonder on Tuesday the latter packed the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA) while some tuned in to every news channel to watch the solemn arrival of the 45 coffins.
From the beginning in South Africa as captured by the media that side, it was such a dignified and sacred procession. The procession of the hearses to the airport was done and met with so much respect that one could only give credit to the South African government for such a job well done, from the time of the accident to the very last day the bodies of our departed were handed to the government of Botswana.
Not speaking for all the people, but the majority, we can safely say they felt the love and empathy from all involved. Back at SSKIA, after what felt like eternity and updates of delay here and there, the moment of the truth finally hit with the landing of the first cargo flight being the Botswana Defence Force aircraft just minutes after 2pm and the second one reportedly provided by Air Botswana, Bid Air Cargo 15 minutes later. Pastors from different churches headed towards cargo flights as the coffins made their way to the readily prepared coffins stands numbered from one to 45.
Death is such a reality check and often those in loss may be in denial simply because there is nothing tangible that reminds you that you have really lost a loved one except that you do not see them anymore.
What transpired at the airport was the saddest moment. As much as the nation tried hard to hold on, tears started rolling down the cheeks of many. In that heated moment a cold and chilling breeze swept across and one could see people looking at each other with such emptiness in their eyes.
The members of the army did such an amazing job providing a helping hand in carrying the victims respectfully before speakers took to the podium to eulogise.
Perhaps, an individual that stood out was the South African High Commission to Botswana, Thaninga Shope-Soumah. She gave such a moving eulogy to the families and reminded all that the two nations (Botswana and South Africa) are one.
“As much as Batswana are affected by the tragic loss of their own, we also as the South African nation feel the same loss. Botswana was our refuge during the apartheid struggle. Batswana were given money to sell us out but they refused. This shows how Batswana are and it created an everlasting relationship. That is why we are also deeply saddened by the tragedy,” Shope-Soumah said.
Almost all the speakers encouraged the nation to trust God even in the difficult moments. Vice President and Acting President Slumber Tsogwane was the main guest and he encouraged the nation not to question the will of God but remember that in God there is no such thing called an accident.
“In a moment like this, it is easy to question God but we must remember that the victims died on a spiritual pilgrimage and God was with them. God’s timing is his own and we cannot question that because there are no accidents where God is present.
Let us all trust in God and believe that he will heal us from the tragedy,” he condoled the mourners.
Tsogwane also thanked the nation of South Africa for all they have done from the beginning to the end He said this before heading out to the accident scene along Ranaka village where South Africans who were coming from Kanye for a church service reportedly crashed in a fatal car accident involving a Range Rover and a minibus. Seven South African nationals reportedly died and others were hospitalised.
Meanwhile, following the short service at the airport, the remains of the victims were transported to different morgues in Molepolole where they will remain until tomorrow morning for a mass burial expected to be held at Ga-Ranta cemetery. The funeral ceremony will be held at Molepolole Sports Complex. One of the 45 deceased will be buried at his home village of Thamaga.
