45 Killed After South Africa Bus Crash

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PUBLISHED Mar 29, 2024UPDATED Mar 30

The Facts

On Thursday, 45 people were killed in South Africa after a bus carrying worshippers to an Easter weekend celebration crashed into a bridge, plunged down a mountain pass, and burst into flames, killing everyone except a seriously injured 8-year-old girl.
The bus was traveling from Gaborone, Botswana's capital, to a popular Easter festival in Moria in the northern Limpopo province. However, the vehicle crashed on a bridge in a mountainous area near Mamatlakala, descending 164 feet (50m) into a ravine before catching fire.

The Spin

Narrative A

South Africa has failed to adequately invest in road safety, leading to a national crisis and major tragedies. Much of the country’s roads — especially in rural areas — are accidents waiting to happen, so the government must immediately invest in major infrastructure improvements.

OPINION | Neglected Rural Infrastructure: A Critical Oversight in South Africa’s State of the Nation Address

University of Fort HareMar 28

Narrative B

South Africa is doing its best to allocate its financial resources in the most effective way. In 2024, the government is prioritizing infrastructure and transportation, building up roads and other public infrastructure. However, it will take some time for South Africa to achieve its ambitious infrastructure goals, which will help to prevent tragic accidents in the future.

Significant public infrastructure investment outlined in South Africa’s 2024 Budget

World Construction NetworkMar 26

Nerd narrative

There's a 50% chance that South Africa’s GDP per capita (PPP) will be more than $12.3K (in constant 2017 USD) in 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

South Africa GDP per capita in 2030

MetaculusSep 23, 2022