The horror crash that claimed 20 lives near Somerset West this week has highlighted the serious socioeconomic problems plaguing this country.

Twelve other people were injured when a train ploughed into a truck carrying 31 men and women.

All of them are poor farm labourers. The tragedy has left many women without husbands and children without parents.

Until the tragedy struck, many South Africans did not know about the poor community staying in this remote area in Western Cape.

The government must act swiftly to help them. The Western Cape provincial government has promised to pay the funeral expenses.

They need to do more to make the community, especially the bereaved families, feel they are part and parcel of South Africa.