Mams learners mourn Grade 3 learner’s death

Learners from Tlakukani primary school in Mamelodi East are mourning the death of one of their schoolmates, Zanele Chauke (9), who died on May 24.

The Grade 3 learner was walking home to catch a train at the Eerste Fabrieke railway station to the Skierlik informal settlement when a car hit her at Tsamaya Road.

According to school principal Ruth Mashaba, emergency services certified her dead on the scene.

The school held a memorial service and lit candles to bid farewell to Zanele. The ceremony was attended by Zanele’s grandmother, community members and a former ward councillor.

“It is sad for the school to lose a bright learner like Zanele who was friendly, gifted and laughed with everyone,” said Mashaba.

“She was always smiling. You wouldn’t know that she came from a poor background and was responsible for taking care of her younger sister at school.”

Mashaba pleaded with the Tshwane metro to erect more speed bumps on Tsamaya Road and for metro police to control traffic in the mornings as well as after school.

“It is one of the busiest roads in Mamelodi with buses and taxis driving almost every day.

“This is not the first accident there and it does not only affect school children, but also adults travelling to work,” said Mashaba.

Learners from the school bade farewell by reciting a poem while Grade 3 learners sang her favourite song.

Her grandmother, Esther Mashao, said Zanele will be laid to rest at Mphambu in Limpopo on June 3.

Mashaba pleaded with the community to help with donations to help bury Zanele.

For more information about the funeral, contact Esther Mashao at 076 014 9494.

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