History
In the stormy early hours of Tuesday the 15th of November 1949 at around 01h30 a train on its way to Ressano Garcia in Mozambique, carrying migrant workers headed home to their loved ones, derailed on the Elands River Bridge at a sharp curve in the railway line between Waterval Boven and Waterval Onder. As a result the 6 coaches immediately following the leading passenger coach fell from the bridge into the river 25 meters below.
The guard, Mr I Oosthuizen, was flung down, but recovered and ran back to Waterval Boven where he sounded the SOS hooter for 20 minutes. What followed was an act of amazing compassion as doctors, ambulances, fire brigades and many residents ran to the site and rendered first aid. 22 doctors and many ambulances had arrived by the morning and the more seriously injured were airlifted as far as Pretoria.
63 passengers and 1 train driver perished in the accident and 348 survived.
The Disaster Festival
The festivities included songs by the Emgwenya Youth Choir from Boven and the Mahlakeng Adult choir from Randfontein, Johannesburg. Traditional dancing was by dancers from Rustenburg.
Mr. John Cameron told the story of how he had tried unsuccesfully to get his very sick wife onto the train for Nelspruit where she could receive medical treatment. The story was very sad and one could feel the empathy radiating from the crowd. Another gentleman, Mr. Machaka was one of the diggers who dug the grave for the fallen workers.
Amongst the many digitaries present were representitives from Mozambique and South Africa, including; Linkie Mohlala, executive Major of the Emakhazeni Local Mincipality; Mr. Arthur Verrissimo, Mozambican Consul to Mpumalanga; Paris Mashego, Regional Secretary of the National Union Of Mine Workers; and many more.
The wife of former Mozambican President Samora Machel, and now wife to former President Nelson Mandela, Graca wrote a letter to be read at the ceremony as she was unable to be there on the day. It reads as follows:
“I regret that I am unable to be in Waterval Boven with you today to recognise this important event in our history. I welcome all the participants & guests supporting this 60th anniversary Commemoration of the 1949 Train Disaster. On reflection, I realize I was a little girl of only 4 years old when it happened! This festival is of great importance to thee people of South Africa and Mozambique. Through it we remember our combined struggle histories, celebrate the spirit of Ubuntu so unique to Africa, and unite our peoples in a celebration of our cultures. I support the essence of this festival and wish great things to come from it.”
Andre Kotze
Waterval Boven,
Waterval Onder,
train,
disaster,
accident,
