REFUND FROM THE TRIP NOT UNDERTAKEN DUE TO UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES

in 2020 11 family members were schedule to undertake a cruise to Mozambique, unfortunately the trip was cancelled due to covid 19 regulations. 3 were pensioners and the rest siblings and grandkids. All paid a deposit amounting to R23000 in total, paid to Eminent Travel Agency. When the covid regulations were lifted, my father and Aunt who were part of team traveling were diagnosed with Cancer and deteriorated drastically within a short space of time and that affected all of us negatively and the entire focus was on them as they were staying with us at home. Sadly, they both passed on in September and October 2021 respectively. Shattered as we were could not travel anywhere after losing two family members. I tried making an arrangement sometime last year for me and some of the kids to travel and we were prohibited by the elders and told that we can only start traveling after the mourning period in September/October 2023. The situation was unforeseen and beyond our control. This year there is a trip planed for December 2023 of which I told the travel agent that I would rather use the R2300 for that trip and he refused. He wanted that we travel by June 2023 or else we lose the entire amount of R23 0000. The problem was that the mourning period for us was not over yet. By the way, the deceased were part of the team traveling and paid the deposits including my mother who is also a pensioner. The team said, since the travel agent did not offer any services, and is not willing to understand the cultural situation, it is best if they returned their deposit. I request your assistance in getting back that money so that it can be paid to individuals accordingly. Kindly assist me in getting the deposit back.