Netherland Park mourns beloved Grade 12 learner
Lethabo was first diagnosed in 2023 during her Grade 11 year, which required her to take a break from school for treatment.
ERMELO – The corridors of Netherland Park Secondary School (NPSS) are quieter this week as the school community mourns the loss of Lethabo Ndaba, a Grade 12 learner whose brave battle with cancer has come to an end.
She will be remembered not only for her resilience, but also for the joy and strength she brought to everyone she met.
Lethabo was first diagnosed in 2023 during her Grade 11 year, which required her to take a break from school for treatment.
She returned to NPSS at the beginning of 2024, determined to continue her studies.
In the second term of 2025, she was diagnosed with cancer for the second time and had to stop attending school.
According to her teacher, Zamahlubi Nkosi, despite the immense physical and emotional toll, she remained joyful, bubbly and outspoken.
“She continued being positive and fought each day to be better. She enjoyed being at school,” Nkosi said.
Before her illness, Lethabo’s greatest joy came from sports. She was a dedicated athlete who excelled in running and was a key netball player.
Her ambition was to pursue a career in sports and further her studies at university.
Nkosi added that Lethabo was a beacon of light at NPSS and described her as resilient and kind.
“Her unique trait was her strong will; she stood fiercely for what she believed in, earning the respect of peers and teachers alike.”
Even in the face of difficulty, Lethabo’s impact on others was defined by her remarkably positive attitude, towards herself and towards others facing challenging situations.
The staff and learners will miss her deeply, along with the sound of her voice echoing through the corridors.
