Suryaville mourns passing of student

The hall of Suryaville Primary School was filled to capacity on Tuesday (October 22)  as students, staff, and family came together to honour the short but impactful Zenhlanhla Thwala. Affectionately known to her friends and family as ‘Mamazi’,  Zenhlanhla (12) passed away on Saturday (October 12) in a tragic drowning accident in the Ingagane dam.

The atmosphere at the school hall was heavy with grief as her friends, classmates and teachers remembered a vibrant young girl whose laughter and smile touched everyone around her.

Teachers formed a guard of honour at the hall’s entrance to greet Zenahlanhla’s mourning mother, Hlengiwe, who was accompanied by her aunts, uncles, and grandmother.

Still emotional after her burial this past Saturday (October 20), the family remember a vivacious young girl who lit up their lives.

“She was always a cheerful child with a brilliant smile,” recalled her aunt Sanelisiwe Gama.

She was so respectful, kind and protective of all her cousins, even though they sometimes would fight a lot; she says smiling with her eyes glistening with tears.

Gaining her composure, Sanelisiwe’s eyes light up as she recalls the funny moments spent together.  “She was such a good dancer especially traditional dancing. After school she would be dancing, making those Tik Tok dances and just generally being funny.”

Zenhlanhla’s dreamt of growing up to be a pharamcist just like her beloved uncle. “The family is really trying to cope but it is still so very heavy,” she said with a sigh. These memories are all the family have to hang onto.

Her teachers and classmates expressed their heartfelt condolences, remembering a small girl who had created a void in their school. Her classroom teacher recalled her ability to light up any room. “They say dynamite comes in small packages, and that was truly you. Farewell, my angel , my daughter,” she said, her voice filled with emotion.

As a video montage of Zenhlanhla lit up the screen, not a dry eye was left in the hall and all that could be heard were wails of grief. Though the school choir and her Grade 6 class had prepared to perform songs in her honour, all the children found it extremely hard but mustered through it to honour their friend.

“Losing you has left a place in our hearts. Now your desk is empty and nothing is the same, we will never forget you and you will always be in our hearts,” said her friend.

Principal Lynette Gigaba added words of encouragement to the family with words for them to hold onto saying that ‘this too shall pass.’

On behalf of the family, Zenhlanhla’s uncle Nathi Gama thanked the school for being with the family through ‘these testing times’.

“This gesture will go a long way in helping us move through this trying time. She is looking down on all of us, happy that you did this for her.”

With those last words, the school handed Zenhlanhla’s mom a framed photo of her last school picture as well as a folder filled with tributes, little letters and notes from her friends and classmates. “Whenever you open this, we want you to remember that you are not alone in your grief, she said.

The Newcastle Advertiser sends heartfelt condolences to the Zenhlanhla Thwala’ family, friends and Surryaville primary school.

See photos below:

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