“Women of strength whose legacy will live on forever.”
This is how mourners described Jamie Peters, Angelique and Chante Cloete, Jesse Gordon and Jenna Moses.
The five women, who were avid netball and softball players, died in a car accident on Thursday 30 December near Worcester.
Dozens of friends, family and members of the Western Cape sporting fraternity came to pay their last respects for the young women at their memorial service held at the Royal Road Sports Field in Maitland on Wednesday 5 January.
Carolyn Inglis, chair of Kenfac Phillies Softball Club and Chair of the Cape Town Softball Association, says Moses, Peters and Angelique were all former members of the club.
She describes their death as a “huge loss” to the sporting community.
“I knew all five of them and they were vibrant and dynamic and fun-loving human beings. They always wanted to do things for others. It’s extremely difficult for us because these young women grew up in our community and they played sport here, so it’s a huge loss for us. I cannot comprehend how difficult it’s going to be for us moving forward.”
Inglis says their legacy will live on because they left a lasting footprint in the community.
Ricky Adams, member of Hamilton’s Softball Club, says: “They have touched so many lives within our clubs, our coaches, players and spectators were fond of them. They have captivated us with their beautiful smiles. Their lives were a blessing and their memories a treasure and they will always be missed.”
Joshua Wentzel described his girlfriend, Jesse, as “one-of-a-kind”.
“She was supportive in all aspects of my life. She would always come and support me whenever I played softball or baseball and would sit with her little green blanket on the field. I will miss her and all the girls dearly.”
Megan Moses, mother of Jenna, says the pain is immense.
“To God be the glory for the lives of our angel children. Jenna had a short life here on earth, but she achieved so much. I can find strength in the fact that the last wallpaper on her phone read:
‘The Lord will stand with you and give you strength’. That was the Bible verse that carried her through, and I want to leave that verse with others as well.”
Peters was laid to rest on Friday, the Cloetes and Gordon were buried on Saturday while Moses’ funeral was held on Sunday.
The provincial Department of Transport and Public Works recorded a total of 22 car crashes and 32 fatalities between Monday 27 December last year and Sunday 2 January.
Daylin Mitchell, Western Cape Transport and Public Works minister, says: “As the province prepares for motorists to return to their respective destinations for the 2022 academic and working year and industries reopen, we appeal to all motorists and road users to practise patience, avoid reckless and negligent driving, rest sufficiently after every two hours of their journey and to be considerate to all road users and vehicle types while travelling on our roads.”
