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Thembela Mgudlwa, Khayelitsha
On November 21, 2021, a day before my birthday, I received the call that would change our lives forever. My nephew, Ndiyamthanda Madzodzo Mgudlwa, had been hit by a Golf 6 driving at high speed.
In that moment, I went numb, unable to feel my body as I rushed to the accident scene.
Ndiyamthanda, a promising 14-year-old midfielder with dreams as big as his heart, had just finished a soccer match in Ny 108, near the iconic Mzoli’s Butchery in Gugulethu, when a negligent driver abruptly ended his young life.
The pain of this loss continues to echo through our family and the KTC community.
As his uncle, my grief intertwines with that of my family members, Nomfuneko and Bukelwa Mgudlwa, and everyone who loved him.
Ndiyamthanda was not just a passionate soccer player but a beacon of hope and joy, raised by in an underprivileged community and adored by all who knew him. His absence has left a void that words cannot capture, a void that has fuelled a renewed urgency in our family to advocate for road safety. This tragedy remains a harsh reminder of the irreversible consequences of negligence on the road.
Ndiyamthanda’s life was filled with potential. For him, soccer wasn’t just a sport; it was his dream, his discipline, his joy. Like many boys his age, he envisioned himself one day wearing his favourite Pirates jersey, maybe even paying soccer professional and to represent South Africa as part of Bafana Bafana. But on that fateful day, as he made his way home, none of us could have foreseen the unspeakable tragedy that awaited him.
This accident is a powerful reminder of life’s fragility and the vulnerability of young lives on our roads. Car accidents are tragically common, but each one leaves behind a trail of deep and lasting grief. It’s time to reflect on the factors that contribute to such tragedies and consider how we, as a community, can work to prevent them.
Road safety must be prioritised, especially in high-traffic areas near schools, sports fields, and parks where children are often present. Local authorities need to take a hard look at accident-prone zones, assessing the need for better signage, speed bumps, and traffic-calming measures. We owe it to our children to ensure their safe passage to and from their activities.
Moreover, road safety demands a shared responsibility among drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Drivers, in particular, must commit to observing speed limits, avoiding distractions, and being cautious in residential or school zones. Beyond following rules, road safety requires a culture of care and respect, a recognition that every life on the road is precious and irreplaceable.
Furthermore it may be easy to focus on blame, we must instead use this moment to reflect on preventing future accidents. Every year, countless young lives, filled with promise and dreams, are lost to preventable road accidents. Each loss leaves families to cope with grief that is both personal and collective — a grief that could belong to anyone. I remember my mother and younger sister crying endlessly, while I, trying to support and arrange everything, was silently breaking inside.
As I mourn the loss of my nephew, my son, my little brother in spirit, I find myself wondering how many other families in South Africa have faced similar heartbreak, and how many more will suffer if we do not take meaningful action. Our children should be free to pursue their passions and return home safely. We must honour the memories of those we have lost by creating a safer environment for those who remain.
In Ndiyamthanda’s memory, I urge our community, our leaders, and our fellow citizens to commit to road safety, especially as we approach the festive season. Let his passing be a turning point, a reminder that each of us has a role to play in safeguarding our children from the dangers on our roads. Let us work together to create safer streets so that no family endures the heartache of losing a child in such a preventable way.
As we bid farewell to my boy, who touched our lives so deeply, may his memory inspire us to be vigilant and make our roads safer for future generations.
