Funeral and memorial service for young suicide victim
A funeral and memorial service for Marnus Vorster will be held on Friday.
The suicide of 12-year-old Marnus Vorster in the Moot has traumatised the school community of Gereformeerde Skool Dirk Postma, Hannes Noëth, head of the school, said on Wednesday.
“Naturally we were not prepared for this tragedy. Even less so for the great trauma this event would cause for the rest of the school. There is no way anyone could remain untouched by this,” Noëth said.
Vorster will be buried from the Hervormde Kerk Pretoria-Noord in Ben Viljoen Street at 13:00 on Friday. In the morning, a memorial service will be held at the school at 07:40 for pupils who cannot attend the funeral.
Vorster, who had suffered from bipolar depression for some time, hanged himself with his scarf at the school on Monday morning.
Noëth said the boy’s death underlined how deeply a community could be touched by tragedy. It came on top of the sudden death of a parent at the school, Lourie van der Sluijs, who was killed in a motorcycle accident last week.
“From this trauma so much secondary pain and hurt has unfolded and we are grateful for all the help and support the Moot community has provided during this time of need. In each moment, we have received the help of ministers, trauma counsellors, caregivers and supporters from all sides,” Noëth said.
He praised the professional conduct by police, medical personnel, security and journalists during this difficult time. “A community that mourns together can also move forward together,” Noëth said.
Pupils at the school handed in letters and pictures on Wednesday, illustrating their feelings about the tragedy. Noëth, author of a book about the effects of depression, advised parents to be aware of what went on in their children’s lives.
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