North university student fondly remembered

Students at the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University are in mourning after Hunadi Mogongoa, a student tragically passed away reportedly from food poisoning.

She apparently consumed food from the university’s student cafeteria on 30 August.

“The university has immediately instituted an investigation by a multi-disciplinary team which included an external expert,” Professor O Ayo Yusuf said in a press statement on Monday. On the same evening, fellow students came together to mourn Mogongoa’s sudden passing with a heartfelt candlelight tribute.

“She was a kind and precious soul. We used to play soccer together before I left the team. She was good in soccer and came alive in the field,” said fellow student Sharon Malepa about Mogongoa.

“She was a bit shy and then kind of crazy when she got comfortable with you. We used to be classmates in the second year. I remember one of my male friends had a crush on her, that is how I got to meet her. I will forever feel her absence in my life and hope her memory never dies,” Malepa said.

Another friend Meulelwa Mudau told Rekord she was still speechless about the shocking news of her friend’s passing.

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“I don’t even know what to say, there is so much to be said. One of the things she said a lot is, ‘are you ok’? I will always remember that about her,” Mudau said.

After Mogongoa’s death about 75 students who showed symptoms such as diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, fatigue, weight loss, anorexia and nausea were evaluated at the campus health clinic or the Dr George Mukhari hospital and later discharged.

“Management has called on students and staff to remain calm during this painful period as the investigation referred to above is being concluded to determine if there is a link between Mogongoa’s death and the food she consumed at the student cafeteria.

“I have reached out to the family and agreed to provide them with support at this difficult time. On behalf of the university leadership, I hereby again send our message of condolences to the family of Mogongoa and wish them strength during this difficult period. May her soul rest in peace,” Yusuf said.

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