Mother “Lady in Red” Breaks Silence After Vanderbijlpark Crash

The mother of Buhle Radebe, known on social media as the “Lady in Red”, has spoken publicly for the first time after her daughter was filmed crying at the scene of the Vanderbijlpark crash that killed 14 school pupils.

Footage of Radebe standing in a red dress while weeping spread quickly on TikTok and Facebook. Many users focused on her appearance instead of the tragedy unfolding behind her. Some began calling her the “Lady in Red”, a label that deeply hurt her family.

“When I opened my TikTok, I was called the Lady in Red. It really broke my heart to see that when we are crying, people are creating content,” her mother said.

She explained that her daughter did not go to the scene to gain attention or followers. She went because she felt moved to pray for the children and their families.

“My child is a prayer warrior. She believes in God and in standing with people during painful moments. She went there to pray for the children and their parents,” she said.

The crash happened earlier this week in Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg. A scholar transport vehicle carrying pupils to school collided with a truck.
Fourteen learners died at the scene. Several others suffered serious injuries.

Emergency services rushed the injured children to nearby hospitals.
The scale of the tragedy shocked the community. Parents gathered near the crash site in tears. Teachers and classmates waited for news about missing learners. Local churches and community leaders organised prayer meetings and memorial services.
Radebe’s mother said the family still struggles to process what happened.

“This pain is heavy. It feels like a wound that will never close. We can only lean on God for strength,” she said.

She said social media worsened the family’s grief. Instead of offering comfort, many people shared the video without thinking about the emotional cost.

“People forget that there are real families behind these videos. There are real mothers and fathers who lost children,” she said.
She urged the public to act with compassion when tragedies occur.

“Not everything should become content. Some moments need silence and prayer, not likes and comments,” she said.
Message of Faith and Hope
Despite the pain, Radebe’s mother said faith continues to guide her family.

“But in short, I would like to give you this verse from Isaiah 43 verse 2. It says, ‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep you over,’” she said.

She said the verse reminds her that God remains present even during suffering.
“We believe God is still with us, even in this storm. We trust Him to carry the families who lost their children,” she said.

Police are still investigating the cause of the crash. The driver of the scholar transport vehicle has appeared in court on several charges, including culpable homicide and driving without a valid permit.

The case has been postponed to allow further investigation. Authorities said they will present more evidence when the matter returns to court.

As the legal process continues, families of the victims focus on burying their loved ones and supporting one another.
For Buhle Radebe’s family, prayer remains central to their healing.

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