Family and friends paid tribute to four siblings – Gerrie, Adrian, Sebastian Brits and Jamel Eales – who died in the tragic Christmas Eve Boksburg truck gas explosion that has so far claimed 37 lives.
The siblings whose ages ranged between nine and 16 were laid to rest yesterday at a Boksburg cemetery.
Mourners in a funeral held in Thrive Church, Boksburg described the children as joyful and loving and while their mother Rossetta Brits, with tears streaming down her cheeks, talked about all her children one by one.
“I just want to tell you guys how these children lived and imagined their lives, Jamel had a funny personality, and she was a beautiful soul. Sebastian always made everyone laugh, he was like a clown, he was my clown. Adrian was such a good boy, he cared a lot about people, he wanted to always make a difference,” she said.
“Gerrie has a smiley face whenever you see Gerrie he was smiling, it doesn’t matter what happened, if he got a hiding from oupa or got shouted at he was always smiling.
“I’m going to miss them so much. I’m gonna miss hearing their voices, seeing their faces and I’m also going to miss their hearts. I know they are dancing in heaven with God and they are happy where they are but I just wish it could be different.”
Another family member who didn’t disclose her name said she wanted to thank the children for the short time they shared with her.
“I just want to say thank you Gerrie, for the times you gave me. Thanks to Adrian for the hugs that you gave me every morning and Sebastian’s fondness and Jamel thank you,” she said.
The four coffins with each of their pictures on top left were placed inside hearses that were led by a motorcade of motorbikes making huge sounds to loud cheers from the grieving mourners.
