Memorial service for residents who died in tragic circumstances

Umtholo Primary School in Zonkizizwe held a combined memorial service on Wednesday, November 16 for two residents who died recently in separate incidents.

Bongiwe Sithole (36), a CPF patroller, was posted for night duty at Umtholo Primary on Thursday, November 10, where she was shot and died on the scene.

Kabelo Mdakane (10) drowned on Sunday, November 13, after leaving home to play in the park with his friends at the nearby river around 12.30pm.

Acccording to Kabelo’s aunt, Nomsa Nkambule, their family lost a responsible young man with a very bright future ahead of him.

“He was a son and brother to everyone in the family. He was very young, but the kind of a person who anyone could learn from.

“He had that little naughty character, but was someone who listened when you guided him and was teachable,” said Nkambule.

Nkambule told Kathorus MAIL what happened the last day they last saw Mdakane.

“He left to play with his friends at the park around 12.30pm. Around 1.30pm, one of his friends came home running to report that Kabelo had disappeared in the water at the nearby river. We were surprised because we thought they had gone to the park. I, my sister (Kabelo’s mother) and other family members went straight to the river. There were police and paramedics trying to save him. They told us he was still alive and they were trying their best to save him. Even the machines could prove that he was still breathing. Ten minutes later, one of the paramedics came to tell us that they had failed,” said Nkambule.

One of the boys who were fishing in the river and saw the incident said Mdakane had gone to swim in a muddy part of the river by the bridge where he slipped and got stuck in the mud and failed to come out.

“Even an old man who was washing his car by the river tried to save him, with no success,” said the boy.

Nkambule said Kabelo’s mother was hospitalised because she couldn’t deal with the pain.

“She is still in a critical condition as we speak. I am not even sure she will be able to bury her child,” said a sad Nkambule.

Dudu Rakosa, a maths teacher, praised Kabelo’s performance.

“He was playful but very focused and dedicated to his school work. His work and assignments were good. There is no doubt that he was going to pass,” said Rakosa

Letty Zondi, who spoke on behalf of Sithole’s family, said she was shocked to hear about the death of her sister.

“I even went to the clinic to get treated for shock.

“She was the kind of a person you would go to when you had a problem and she would help you solve it and would never give you wrong advice or bad-mouth another person,” said Zondi.

Celamandla Sithole, brother to the diseased, said they had lost someone who could carry the family during the most difficult times.

“She would support us and her two girls, Xoliswa (14) and Ntando (2), who are still recovering from the shock.

“At least the suspects are behind bars, which makes us as the family feel better. We hope they will be kept behind bars for a very long time,” said Celamandla.

Pastor Bongani Mtshali pleaded with the community members to not to be cowards.

“We as the community of Zonkizizwe must stand up against crime. Let us fight the criminals and not be dictated to by them how to live our lives. This is our place where we have to live. We must stand up and fight otherwise we will always be crying,” said Mtshali.

Nontsikelelo Matlawe, principal of the school, appealed to the community to work together to bring peace to the community.

“We must not keep quiet if we see people committing crime and patrollers losing their lives like this. These people are supposed to keep us safe.

“I would like to say to both families, you are not alone. We have lost together. The pain you are feeling, we are feeling it too. These people were still young. Their deaths were not a mistake because they have gone to meet their creator. Unfortunately it happened in a painful way – death,” said Matlawe.

In support of the affected school, Umtholo Primary, were the principals of the nearby schools, Norman Mokoena of Zonkizizwe Primary School, and Ben Sidwaba of Katlehong Primary School.

The deceased were buried on Saturday, November 19 in two different places. Kabelo was buried at home in Zonkizizwe. The service started at 7am and left for the cemetry at 9am. Sithole’s body was taken to Ladysmith on Friday around 12pm and was buried on Saturday at 2pm.