The Alarming Rise of Scholar Transport Accidents in South Africa: A Call for Society to Protect Our Children

By Nosipho Hani Khumalo, South African National Youth Ambassador and Granddaughter of Chris Hani

As a youth ambassador dedicated to the development and well-being of South Africa's young people, and as the granddaughter of Chris Hani—a man who fought tirelessly for a just and equitable society—I am heartbroken and outraged by the escalating crisis of scholar transport accidents in our country. My grandfather's legacy was built on the belief that every South African, especially the most vulnerable, deserves protection and dignity. Yet, today, our children are paying the ultimate price for systemic failures that echo the inequalities he battled against. The recent tragedies, including the devastating Vanderbijlpark crash that claimed the lives of at least 12 school pupils, are not isolated incidents but symptoms of a deeper societal neglect. We must confront this rise in accidents head-on and commit to safeguarding our future generations.

The statistics paint a grim picture. Between 2018 and 2022, more than 800 schoolchildren lost their lives in scholar transport-related accidents across South Africa. This number alone should shock us into action, but the trend is worsening. Road traffic injuries remain a leading cause of death for children and youth, with South Africa experiencing a complex global health crisis where 90% of such fatalities disproportionately affect low- and middle-income communities. According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation's 2023 report, there was an increase of nearly 2,000 schools involved in road incidents compared to the previous year, highlighting a sharp uptick in crashes affecting learners. Fatalities have risen overall, with road transport accident deaths increasing in recent years, peaking during high-traffic periods like December and June. And in the first weeks of 2026 alone, we've seen a horrifying spike, exemplified by the Vanderbijlpark incident where a minibus carrying students collided with a lorry, killing 12 children and injuring others. This follows a pattern: just last year, similar crashes claimed young lives, underscoring that our roads have become a gamble with death for thousands of commuters.

These accidents are not mere misfortunes; they stem from deep-rooted issues tied to poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and regulatory lapses. Many children rely on scholar transport because 67% of school-aged learners walk to school, exposing them to risks, while those who use minibuses often travel in overloaded, poorly maintained vehicles driven by unqualified operators. In rural and township areas, where my grandfather's fight for equality resonates most, families have no choice but to entrust their children's lives to these unsafe services. The Vanderbijlpark crash, involving a 22-year-old driver now facing court, exposes gaps in enforcement—vehicles that shouldn't be on the road, drivers without proper licenses, and a lack of oversight that allows lawlessness to thrive. As parents express mounting concerns about road safety en route to school, particularly in provinces like the Western Cape and Gauteng, it's clear that this is a national emergency rooted in socioeconomic disparities.

Society must rise to protect our children, just as Chris Hani rose against oppression. First, we need stricter regulations and enforcement for scholar transport. Government must mandate regular vehicle inspections, ensure drivers are properly trained and licensed, and impose severe penalties for violations. The recent calls for urgent reforms following the Vanderbijlpark tragedy are a start, but words must turn into action—perhaps through a national scholar transport safety fund to subsidize safe vehicles for underprivileged areas. Communities can play a role too: parents and schools should form oversight committees to vet transport providers, while educating children on road safety from an early age. Civil society organizations, like those focused on child welfare, must advocate for better infrastructure, such as dedicated scholar lanes and pedestrian crossings near schools.

Moreover, we cannot ignore the mental health toll. As someone who specializes in mental health and youth development, I see how these traumas ripple through families and communities, exacerbating anxiety and grief among survivors. We need integrated support systems, including counseling in schools and public awareness campaigns to foster a culture of responsibility on our roads.

In honoring my grandfather's vision, let's build a South Africa where no child fears the journey to education. The rise in these accidents is a betrayal of our democracy's promise. Society—government, communities, and individuals—must unite to protect our children. Their lives depend on it. Let's act now, before more families mourn.