KNYSNA NEWS - "We used to buy Christmas presents for the children and place it under their pillows, saying that Father Christmas brought it for them. Now we can only buy for one child, not three," said a grieving Veronica Kiewiets, mother of the late Jorina Kiewiets (7) and aunt of Marco Kiewiets (11), who died with 12 other learners and their bus driver in the Rheenendal bus accident on August 24.

"She [Jorina] would have been so happy with what we bought this Christmas. She was such a happy child, always smiling," said Veronica.

"She always asked me to kiss her. I asked her once why she kissed me so much, and she said it’s because ‘I love mommy so much’. I miss that about her. No one asks me for kisses or hugs as much as she did. I miss her so much."

Veronica recalled that, three weeks prior to the accident, her daughter had told her that she wanted to stay in the house of God, with God and not at home. "I asked her who was going to stay with mommy then, because mommy loved her. And now she is really not here," said Veronica, whiping tears from her face.

"These two children brought so much laughter and joy into our house. It’s not the same anymore. Marco used to help wherever he could around the house. He was always so interested in everything I did at home," said John Kiewiets, Marco Kiewiets’ father.

He recalled that Jorina, his granddaughter, was always the one who woke up early in the morning to tuck into bed next to him and his wife before he had to go to work. "She was always the one who said ‘good morning, grandfather’ before all the other children. Things are really not the same without them."

It was evident that Marco’s mother, Lydia Kiewiets, was still deeply saddened by his passing as she sat and listened to her daughter and husband speak. Not once did she utter a word, she only cried.


The Kiewiets family in front of the nook they created in loving memory of Jorina and Marco Kiewiets. From left are Veronica, John and Lydia Kiewiets.