Learners plead for safer school transport systems
The head girl of Isibonelo High School in KwaMashu says unreliable transport will not deter learners from travelling longer distances to access good schools for a chance at a decent education.
Philile Ntombela was among the speakers at the funeral service of three of the four high school children who died in a horrific crash while on their way to school in northern KZN, earlier this month.
It's understood the driver of the minibus taxi they were travelling in tried to overtake another vehicle, but collided with a bus in Ntuzuma.
At the funeral on Saturday, Ntombela pleaded with authorities in attendance - among them the Transport MEC and eThekwini Mayor - to do something about the school transport situation.
Speaking to Newswatch afterwards, 16 year-old Ntombela said the accident had made them more determined to fight for safer transport for learners.
"It's a means of transportation system for the children who stay out far, as they cannot stop coming to our school because it's so prestigious. And regardless of that fact, they need the education, and the fact that transportation is so unreliable cannot be a detriment to the future of the country," she said.