WATCH: Heartfelt farewell for slain Unity Secondary teacher
Seraka Mogoswane’s friends and family broke down multiple times during an emotional memorial service.
Unity Secondary School teachers struggled to hold back their tears when they recalled fond memories of their slain colleague, Seraka Mogoswane, at a memorial service on April 9.
A sombre mood filled the packed auditorium at Oasis of Life Family Church in Daveyton, where former and current learners, SADTU, the ANC, SANCO and the Universal Association of School Governing Bodies members gathered to remember the life of Mogoswane.
The 49-year-old, who taught at the school for 23 years, was shot and killed on the night of April 5 while inside a parked vehicle in Daveyton.
According to Daveyton SAPS spokesperson Constable Ntando Ngomane, the teacher was found inside a red Chevrolet Cruze with multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body at about 21:35 on the corner of Gumbi and Eiselen streets.
Dedicated
Various speakers who took to the podium at the emotional service described Mogoswane as free-spirited and a people’s person.
Colleague Thabo Mohoto said Mogoswane didn’t deserve to die how he did.
“Who would want to brutally kill Seraka when he was someone who always smiled? He worked hard for Unity Secondary School and was a dedicated teacher.
“There are several leaders who Seraka taught and groomed. He used to make jokes, and we called each other ‘leadership’ to the point that even learners started referring to us as ‘leader’.”
Principal Melody Maseko reminisced on her last interaction with him and distinctly remembers how excited he was on April 5.
“On Friday, we had a team-building at school, and Seraka was in my team. He was cracking jokes and in a happy mood. I believe team-building was his goodbye, and he left us with a message to remain strong as a team.
“During the team building, we were reminded about valuable team lessons and the plan we intended to implement on April 8. However, he left us torn apart,” said Maseko.
Speaking on behalf of the ANC zonal councillors, Thamaga Mathole said anybody who attacks an educator is attacking the country’s foundation.
“The future of the country relies on educators. We can’t afford to have unsafe communities. In conjunction with zonal leadership, we will work with the family to see that justice is served. Those who did this must reveal why they decided to execute this heinous exercise,” said Mathole.
Mogoswane’s distraught uncle, Lethoke Mogoswane, said it’s hard to accept that his nephew is no longer alive.
“The way his life was taken came as a shock to the family. If he was sick, we would have prepared ourselves somehow.”
During the memorial service, some Unity Secondary teachers revealed that they were also targeted and followed by unknown men before the death of their slain colleague.
About Mogoswane
He was the department head of commerce at the school and taught for 23 years. He leaves behind his wife, two siblings and five children. He will be buried at Maiulaneng Village in Limpopo on April 13.
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