Music swells around the hall as the families of the deceased file in. In a row of bowed heads, the tiny, upturned face of a two-year-old sitting on her mother’s lap reflects the grief that grips the gathering. Her mother, Arlette Tshibasu, casts her gaze downward as the child cries for a father she will grow up not knowing. Tshibasu says the girl and her five-year-old brother understand what is happening. “They are always asking the question, ‘Where’s our father?’”

The Tshibasu family, originally from Democratic Republic of Congo, was among the many mourners who gathered on Thursday at the Johannesburg Town Hall to honour the to 22 Gauteng victims of the fatal collapse of the Synagogue Church of All Nations building in September.

Premier David Makhura addressed the event along with a host of religious leaders. Makhura echoed the sentiments of shared grief and tragedy that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed at the reception for 74 of the repatriated bodies on Sunday. “If you test the strength of a family, if you test the strength of a nation, it is in times of grief,” said the premier. He was at pains to emphasise the role of the government in bringing the deceased home, and how leadership of South Africa “is also affected”.

“You do have a government who cares. The government of Jacob Zuma has been doing everything… every day, every hour to try to bring them home,” said Makhura. He thanked the families for co-operating with government during the more than two months it took to bring the bodies back.

Photo: Mourners sing while relatives of the deceased remain seated during the Gauteng memorial. (Greg Nicolson)

Without mentioning who might be responsible for the disaster, the premier consoled the families by saying, “They died in the service of their Lord.” The crowd murmured in response, “Yes.” Makhura continued, “When God calls… the only way you answer is, ‘Yes, oh God, we are here.’ They have answered.” Some members of the crowd raised their hands in agreement. “I want to say to you. God has the answer. And only God knows how you are going to survive.”

After his speech, Makhura spoke to the media on the sidelines of the memorial about the national unity brought about by the tragedy. “This grief, national collective grief, has shown that when we work together we do very, very well… I think this shows the best in South Africa,” Makhura stated.

Johannesburg mayor Parks Tau also addressed mourners. “We grieve [for] our countrymen and women, and all those of other countries who died tragically that day on 12 September,” said the mayor somberly. “We were called to some higher purpose that day… May the souls of the deceased rest in peace.”

Photo: Premier David Makhura, Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau and West Rand Mayor Mpho Nawa stretch their arms over relatives of those who died in Nigeria as they pray for them. (Greg Nicolson)

The various family members – sons, daughters, uncles, aunts, parents, grandparents – some in suits, some in colourful dresses, doeks and hats, sat down. Two months of waiting and wondering has left a well of grief too deep for tears. However, as the Joyous Celebration Choir began to sing, some rose, swaying and clapping their hands.

Photo: The uncle of Musangu Tshibasu who died in Nigeria holds the deceased’s son during the memorial. (Greg Nicolson)

While the memorial service was taking place, TB Joshua was due to appear at the coroner’s inquest into the disaster in Lagos. He once again failed to show. While the coroner threatened to order his arrest, Joshua’s lawyers told reporters at the hearing they were challenging the jurisdiction of the coroner to issue a witness summons.

Photo: Simon Matlane carries a picture of his aunt Winnie Mbatha who died in the Lagos building collapse. (Greg Nicolson)

Meanwhile, it emerged on Wednesday that the aircraft seen above the church builing before its collapse was a military plane belonging to the Nigerian Air Force. According to police investigator, Superintendent Olusola Agoi, the plane was on a circuit-training mission at the time of the collapse.

Before Thursday’s ceremony was over, Gauteng safety MEC Faith Mazibuko listed the funerals taking place around the province this week. Some have already buried their loved ones while Mazibuko said the last funeral planned in the province is for Sunday.

But for 11 families, the grieving process is far from over. There were 85 South Africans who died in the tragedy, but the government has only been able to bring 74 home. The remaining 11 are yet to be properly identified.

Phumla Williams, spokesperson for the inter-ministerial task team working to bring the bodies home, said there’s no new update on the progress. South Africa’s forensic team has been visiting the 11 families to collect more samples for DNA testing, crucial to the identification process. Williams could not give a timeline for the return of the bodies, but said the state is doing everything it can and will continue to keep he public informed. DM

Read more:

• Planes, Blame and Autocracies: How T.B. Joshua will get away with murder, in Daily Maverick;

• Analysis: TB Joshua, Nigeria, and the fools who build houses on sand in Daily Maverick;

• TB Joshua: When stupidity rules in Daily Maverick;

• Long journey home: 74 Nigerian church collapse returned for burial – but will there be justice? in Daily Maverick.

Main photo: Two-year-old daughter of Musangu Tshibasu who died in the church collapse cries in her aunt’s arms at the memorial. (Greg Nicolson)