WATCH: Family, friends mourn Luyanda
Luyanda was laid to rest in Daveyton on February 17.
Luyanda Phakathi, the 11-yearold boy who drowned after falling into a flooded excavation trench at a housing project site in Wattville was described as a loving child who was smart, quiet and reserved.
This was revealed during his memorial service held at Ethiopian Church in Wattville on February 15 where learners and teachers of Lesabe Primary School gathered in numbers to remember one of their own.
His emotional family members were also in attendance joined by community members in the area.
SAPS provincial spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said it is reported that children were swimming in stagnant water when one of them disappeared.
Police and rescue teams were summoned to the scene where they retrieved the body of the child. During the heart-breaking service, Principal Grace Qalaza said the tragic death of Luyanda has left them broken.
“I personally knew him because I taught him English in Grade Four. He was neat, obedient and very respectful.
Also Read: Boy (11) dies after drowning at stagnant Wattville housing site
“Luyanda was a star in his own right. His school work spoke for him. His English was fluent and I think it’s one of the things that made us notice him. His future was so bright,” said Qalaza.
Luyanda’s best friends, Aphiwe Mhlongo and Xolani Mkhize, battled to hold back their tears while paying tribute to their friend.
His father, Bomi Nkosi, said he will continue to cherish the moments he had with his son, who wanted to be a pilot when he grew up. Nolwazi Phakathi, Luyanda’s mom, shared that her son didn’t want to swim. However, she claimed, he was pushed into the flooded trench.
“If the municipality had secured the site with a fence this wouldn’t have happened to my child.
“The project began many years ago while Luyanda was still attending crèche, now it has ended my child’s life.”
The police have opened an inquest docket and are investigating the child’s death. Luyanda was laid to rest in Daveyton on February 17.
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