New documentary looks to explore the Westdene bus disaster

A new investigative documentary is set to revisit the tragic Westdene Dam bus disaster, which claimed the lives of 42 Vorentoe High School children on March 27, 1985.

Directed by Gerrie Janse van Vuuren and produced independently by Silo Art Motion Still, the film aims to shed light on untold stories and unresolved questions surrounding the event.

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Van Vuuren, speaking about the project, said he was inspired after meeting Jerbes De Bruyn, who was 11 years old at the time of the tragedy. “So many of the survivors and witnesses never had the chance to tell their stories, and need justice. We started speaking to them, and even tracked down the original police docket.”

De Bruyn also shared how difficult it has been to reopen the case. “Reading the original statements, seeing the names of children I knew, and remembering that day, it is overwhelming. As children, we never spoke about it, and only recently did I discuss it with a friend, for the first time in 40 years.”

He further added that they managed to get in touch with Petrus van Heerden, a survivor who was among those who managed to escape the sinking bus. The documentary team has been conducting extensive research, speaking to those who lived through the ordeal, including judge Johann Kliegler, who presided over the case. “This is an investigative documentary. We do not always know what we are going to uncover, but we are committed to presenting the facts,” Van Vuuren added.

Also read: Westdene bus tragedy 40 years on and never forgotten

For many involved, revisiting the tragedy has been deeply emotional. Nicolaas Viljoen, another key figure in the documentary’s development, highlighted how significant this project is. “For the first time in 40 years, we are hearing from people whose stories were never recorded. One woman, who was 19 years old at the time, worked at Helen Joseph Hospital and witnessed the aftermath firsthand.”

The documentary, still in production, is expected to be released late this year, or early in 2026. It will feature survivor testimonies, expert analysis, and newly uncovered information, offering a comprehensive look at one of Johannesburg’s most devastating disasters.

Van Vuuren emphasised that the film will remain objective, allowing those involved to share their experiences. “We are not here to push an agenda. We are giving survivors, families, and experts a platform to speak, while also ensuring that the facts are presented accurately.”

The project is expected to generate significant interest, both for its historical significance, and for giving a voice to those who have carried the weight of this tragedy for decades.

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