8 close family members heading to wedding die few meters to venue

What was supposed to be a joyful traditional wedding celebration turned into an unimaginable tragedy after eight close relatives lost their lives when a truck carrying a bridal party overturned near Mbizana, leaving an entire village mourning an overwhelming loss.

The eight victims, who were travelling together to accompany a bride to her husband’s family, will be laid to rest in a mass funeral scheduled for Friday at Thaleni Sports Field in Nomvalo, outside Port St Johns.

The heartbreaking accident occurred on November 1, when approximately 30 villagers left their homes to accompany 35-year-old Funeka Mbongonya to her husband’s family in Mcetheni village, near Mbizana.

The group was reportedly in high spirits, singing traditional wedding songs and carrying gifts meant for the bride’s new family. Nobody could have imagined that their journey, which had started with excitement and celebration, would end in one of the darkest moments in the community’s history.

Tragedy struck less than 500 metres from the wedding venue when the Isuzu truck carrying members of the bridal party and wedding gifts reportedly developed brake problems while descending a narrow gravel road.

The driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle, which overturned before rolling down an embankment.

Six people died at the scene, while a seventh victim succumbed to injuries in hospital later that day. The eighth victim, identified as 29-year-old Vuyisanani Dyasi, died five days later at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha.

Dyasi’s death was particularly painful for his family and friends, as he had recently graduated from Walter Sisulu University (iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu), raising hopes of a promising future that was tragically cut short.

The other victims were identified as Amangile Tambodala, 36; Lunga Tambodala, 39; Philasande Mcinga, 32; Makwande Mbongonya, 48; Mzamo Mbongonya, 46; Nomalumko Baca, 48; and Senzeni Tefani, 50.

Family spokesperson Siyamiso Tambodala described the terrifying moments when the truck overturned, saying the passengers had been celebrating moments before disaster struck.

“The celebration turned to tragedy before our eyes. We watched in horror as the truck rolled and crashed down the embankment,” he recalled.

Tambodala further disclosed that 14 other people sustained injuries during the accident and were still receiving medical attention.

In an especially heartbreaking detail, the bride, Funeka Mbongonya, was travelling in a separate private vehicle and witnessed the horrific accident that claimed the lives of her relatives and fellow villagers.

For the families, what should have been remembered as the beginning of a beautiful marriage will forever be associated with devastating loss.

The tragedy has shaken Nomvalo, a close-knit village where many residents are related and share the AmaNqondo clan name.

The Tambodala, Mcinga, Mbongonya and Baca families are among the prominent family groups in the area, making the loss particularly painful for the wider community.

According to Tambodala, the accident has left several children without their parents and families struggling to understand how they lost so many loved ones in a single incident.

“The village is now left to count its orphans. Mothers, fathers, and uncles are gone. Children who once waited for their parents to return from the wedding now wait for coffins,” he said.

His emotional remarks captured the magnitude of the tragedy, with families now facing the difficult task of raising children who have suddenly lost their parents and other close relatives.

Government Steps In to Support Bereaved Families

With eight people expected to be buried following the same accident, the provincial government and local authorities have stepped in to help the grieving families organise a dignified farewell.

The provincial transport department, working alongside local stakeholders, has provided coffins for the victims and a large-framed tent to accommodate mourners attending the funeral.

The Port St Johns Local Municipality is also assisting the affected families with groceries and logistical support.

Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha and Social Development MEC Bukiwe Fanta have visited the bereaved families to express their condolences and offer support.

Nqatha described the loss of eight lives in one accident as deeply disheartening, acknowledging the devastating impact the incident had on the community.

Incoming Port St Johns Ward 12 councillor Avela Mabhuti Mathimba also expressed sadness, saying the village had never experienced a disaster of such magnitude.

He noted that the community would come together to honour the deceased and support the families during one of the most difficult moments of their lives.

“Together in love and remembrance, we gather to honour eight precious lives. This was not just a horrific crash, but a disaster for our community,” he said.

Mathimba further appreciated the intervention by the municipality and provincial government, observing that the families would have struggled to organise a funeral of such magnitude without external assistance.

He added that authorities were working closely with the families, funeral company and traditional leaders to ensure the eight victims received a dignified send-off.

During Friday’s funeral, the eight coffins will be placed side-by-side at Thaleni Sports Field before the deceased are taken to their respective family homes in Nomvalo for burial.

Meanwhile, the truck driver, who was neither from the village nor related to the affected families, survived the crash.

As the community prepares to bid farewell to the eight relatives, Nomvalo faces the painful reality of a wedding journey that ended in mourning. A day that was supposed to unite families through marriage instead left behind grieving parents, orphaned children and relatives struggling to come to terms with an extraordinary loss.