On entering the Lord Khanyile Community Hall, one was met with weeping Eqinisweni Secondary School learners and teachers alike during the memorial service of three learners who allegedly committed suicide.
This is as emotions ran high at the memorial after two Grade 11 and one Grade 12 learners allegedly committed suicide on different days.
The hall was packed to capacity with learners, teachers, pastors and members of the community who came in their numbers to bid farewell to the three learners.
Read more: Grade 9 learner from Midrand High remembered at the memorial service
This happened on May 9, and various speakers, including teachers, described them as hard workers with a bright future ahead of themselves.
The memorial was also attended by businessman Lekau Sehoana and actor Cornet Thabiso Mamabolo who gave motivational talks to the learners.
School principal Tenda Muvhango said he was sad that the school had lost three of their learners in an inexplicable manner and at times, he questioned his leadership at the school.
“I think the challenge here is not the school, but our community at large. It is very emotional because these are the learners that we had pinned our hopes on and expected the best out of them, but unfortunately, they did what they did. It is not a nice feeling, but we have to support the families through these difficult times and pray that something like this does not happen at our school,” said Muvhango
Also read: Watch memorial of a true community hero, Takis Michalakis
School SGB member Sithembiso Buthelezi said they were devastated upon hearing the news and thought when they heard it that perhaps it was being reported to them multiple times.
“But upon investigation, that’s when we realised that it was actually three deaths. That was when we were still dealing with the first learner. It looks like we need more programmes to help our learners deal with mental health issues. One death is one too many and we cannot lose young people in this manner because these are our future leaders.”
As the programme progressed, the mood slowly changed as the learners, teachers and community members listened to the music and the sermons delivered by pastors and various speakers on the podium.
Managing director of Ungazibulali [Don’t kill yourself] Awareness Campaign Nkululeko Khanyi said his foundation was going to work closely with the school to ensure that they safeguard the mental well-being of all the learners following this trauma.
“We want to make sure that what happened at Eqinisweni does not happen again. We will work with the school and equip learners with tools on how to deal with challenges, be it from school or home. But my message to the learners is that: nothing lasts forever,” said Khanyi.
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