VANDERBILPARK - When Sibongile Madonsela left home on Monday, she was happy.
She had just started Grade 11 at a new school and was looking forward to the prospects of a bright future.
But tragically, her life was cut short.
A few hours later, Sibongile and 10 other pupils were killed in a scholar transport crash while travelling to school in the Vaal.
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Sibongile's grandfather, Alpheus Madonsela, says the family has been left devastated.
“I’m hurt. I don’t know what to say,” he says.
“It was her second day at school. She was really happy. She had just started Grade 11 and was looking forward to the new school year.”
On Tuesday, Madonsela and other parents gathered at the Forensic Pathology Centre in Sebokeng to do the mammoth task of formally identifying the remains of their children.
READ: Lifeless bodies, community in shock– Eyewitness recounts Vaal horror crash
Madonsela, who was too distraught to go to the scene of the accident on Monday morning, said the thought of identifying his granddaughter was harrowing.
“I don't know how I'll react. It’s hard to accept that I will never see or talk to her again.”
The driver of the scholar transport survived the crash. Police have since opened 12 counts of culpable homicide.
Steve Mabona, provincial education spokesperson, said one pupil had still not been identified.
He said three injured pupils were still in the hospital.