SASOLBURG – The disastrous Coalbrook mine tragedy is one historic incident that seems to be slowly forgotten.
But an organisation in the Free State is working tirelessly to give the day significance and keep it alive.

The disaster which occurred in the Coalbrook coal mine of Clydesdale Colliery just outside Sasolburg on 21 January 1960 at around 19:00 saw approximately 900 pillars caved in, almost 180 meters underground, leaving 435 deaths.

Since the incident, the day has not been commemorated nor written in the history books.

As a way to keep the historic day alive, Rejuvenation Community Trust held a documentary screening at Etienne Rousseau Theatre on Wednesday, October 23.

The documentary showed victims and families of those who perished in the disaster telling the story of what they believed had happened.

A saddening reality that keeps lingering in the tongues of the victims and families of the fallen miners is how there are no graves for the hundreds who perished.

Speaking to Ster South following the screening and a tour of the now Holly Country, the Project Manager of the RCT, Kidibone Motlhasedi explained the reason for the documentary.

“People pass through the site where the tragedy happens on a daily and they remain uninformed on what happened in that area. Today, the scene or the commemoration site is flat and the walls that used to stand in that area are dilapidated. Children in other areas learn of the history that occurred in their community and continue to know more about them. We also want children from around here to know the value that their communities have because of this history incident,” she said.

Sharing her excitement about the success of the screening, Motlhasedi said “I am happy that at least people know what happened and they will know the place they won’t just pass it, the Screening will also help us know who we are and how our story is supposed to be told it also gives closure to the families”.

The daughter of one of the victims, Mamokapo Mota, whose father forms part of those who remain trapped in the mine, said “I’m very happy that at least something of importance is happening. Initially, I knew nothing about the day, except that my father died there.”

“Now that something is being done, and I managed to arrive on the scene where the bones of my dad are buried, I feel good. I hope other people will learn about the day and that the government can commemorate it like other historic tragedies,” she said.

Metsimaholo Local Municipality Council speaker, Lucas Fisher who attended the screening said “It is important that historic events such as these are taught so that the youth will know about them. To determine one’s future, one must know where they come from.”