BROTHERS Juane Ray, 4, and Xache Weideman, 7, who died in a fire will be sorely missed as they were described as “community children” who were much loved during their funeral service in Bishop Lavis yesterday.
The church was packed as family and friends bid farewell to the brothers who tragically died in a blaze earlier in this month when a fire engulfed their home in Arthur Abrahams Avenue, Bishop Lavis.
Bishop Lavis Action Community spokesperson Amanda Davids said the boys’ mom Chaney Engelbrecht had received support.
“Everybody came together to help and support Chaney, that support doesn't stop here, this is only the beginning because now is the time she would need a support system around her, now that the funeral arrangements are done and her mind quiets,” she said.
Davids added that the boys presence was also missed in the area.
“They were the type of children who would always greet and had something to say, they had so much respect and everyone who knew them loved them,” she said.
At the funeral service Xache’s Grade 1 class mates sang an emotional song.
Davids said when the pupils started singing, reality kicked in.
“He was supposed to be standing with them, instead his body was laying in the casket in front of them, that was difficult,” Davids said.
South African Human Rights Commissioner, Chris Nissen who was also present at the funeral, said his heart was in pieces, because Bishop Lavis holds a special place because this was where he grew up.
“The investigation into the fire is still ongoing, but what I can say is that poverty played a huge role here.
“The socio-economic factor has a role because so many wendy houses are put up on the very same fields I remember having flowers on when I was younger.
“These are the structures that easily catches fire, and the reason why they are stacked upon one another is because people have nowhere to go, they’ve been on waiting lists for over 30 years,” he said.
Nissen said that this should also be the ideal time for the community to stand together.
“It's sad to see those small coffins in a church. We pray for God to be with this community,” he said.
Jermaine Carelse, a spokesperson for the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services said the fire took place on May 5 just before midnight.