The year 2020 has proved so far to be a very morbid and tragic year for learners across Gauteng, including Boksburg.
There have been countless numbers of deaths, leaving communities and families gripped in agony and mourning. It has been almost bizarre the nature of incidents, from drownings to attempted suicide.
It seems more than ever our youth, the future of this country, is under fire.
This should once again serve as a wake-up call for all guardians – be it parents, teachers, caretakers – to be more vigilant, cautious and aware when it comes to safeguarding children.
Right here in Boksburg, there was the tragic death of a 17-year-old girl from Boksburg while she was trying to escape a possible kidnapping along Main Reef Road.
Her two friends survived but were injured when they also escaped. The three friends were at the time travelling in a taxi.
What on earth the kidnappers wanted to do with the girls is not known, but the reality is we live in a world of many ‘monsters’, in the form of sex traffickers, paedophiles or simply those who suffer no lack of sleep after raping and murdering.
This is the sad and dark world facing the children of today. It is a dangerous world where beasts of cruelty roam the street, looking to devour the innocent.
The girl who died, Tamara Zimkitha, had her entire life ahead of her. She could have become successful, could have made a great impact in the community, could have loved and could have had a family.
Yet so many selfish beasts of immorality place no value on the sanctity of life. They robbed not only her life, but possibly also the lives of children she could have mothered.
In the midst of all the crisis in this country, our President has never really stood up to chastise such criminals. They should be torn apart in condemnation, shredded for their shameful actions until they show a tiny spark of guilt and a reawakening of moral values.
There was also the incident of a Grade Six learner from a local school who tried to take his own life because he was bullied.
Bullying is very much a reality, including violence in schools. The alarm bells are ringing loud and clear, but are the teachers and parents really taking notice?
So many children are suffering at the hands of those who simply cannot show some form of compassion, sympathy or love.
When a child is ready to hang himself, then there are some very serious problems. And yes, not only are the bullies to be blamed but also all guardians and mentors to both the victim and the bullies.
There were also the two drownings at the start of the year.
Shaun Seboko was found dead in his school’s hostel swimming pool, while Enock Mpianzi drowned at an annual Grade Eight camp.
Then there was more tragedy when a learner fell to his death from the third floor at this school. He suffered an epilepsy seizure.
In the latest incident, a Grade 11 girl died after drinking poison while home alone.
For Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi, it’s becoming normal to issue death certificates rather than report cards, it seems.
All of these learners undoubtedly had aspirations for a bright future. Yet the system failed them. The guardians failed them. Ultimately, the country failed them.
We have a right to mourn, for our children are like sheep led to the slaughter.
