Pretoria school denies allegations of bullying as tributes pour in for TikTok’s ‘Teaboy’

TikTok has been flooded with tributes for Wessel Lourens, a high school pupil who died last week amid allegations of bullying.

The Grade 9 Hoërskool Wonderboom pupil’s death was confirmed by the school last week.

Lourens was popular on the social media platform for his videos showing him making tea.

WATCH: Wessel Lourens making tea

@wessellourens101 #tea ♬ original sound – Wessel

The Pretoria pupil’s suicide has put mental health, depression and bullying in schools in the spotlight once again.

Tributes and controversy on TikTok

News of his death rocked TikTok and led to the outpouring of tributes under the phrase: “making tea for Wessel”.

@xx_zanel_henry_xx1 this actually breaks my heart 💔#riv #teaforwessel #rip #wessellourens ♬ original sound – ☆ 𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐀𝐇 ☆

Another popular TikToker, Oarabile Mashigo, also known as ‘mashnotpotatoes’, explained how he had been impacted by Wessel’s videos.

@mashnotpotatoess RIP Wessel Lourens #mashnotpotatoes #southafricatiktok #newsstories #incaseyoumissedit #newsnexus ♬ Enter key click keyboard decision(1146481) – Yorm

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School’s response to bullying allegations

Hoërskool Wonderboom, however, denied the speculation of bullying and said Lourens saw the school’s counsellor throughout the year about other private matters.

Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) spokesperson Steve Mabona extended condolences to the pupil’s family and the school community at large.

Mabona said the pupil committed suicide while at home.

“Our psycho-social support team was dispatched to the school to offer necessary support to all affected by this unfortunate incident. We continue to urge learners to reach out to support structures and resources we have made available in instances where they might be facing any challenges,” he said.

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@wessellourens101 #afrikaans ♬ original sound – Wessel

According to The Citizen’s sister publication, Pretoria Rekord, the school said Wessel’s mother, the counsellor and the head of the grade who worked with him all said he was doing well and he was happier in recent months.

Wessel’s school attendance also confirms this. He was absent for 18 days during the first and second terms, only two days in term three and not absent at all for the entire fourth term. Wessel also had a supportive group of friends.

“Nothing in Wessel’s behaviour gave any indication that he did not want to be at school. Even his academic performance during the recent exams was good and he scored more than 60% on average in the exam, a drastic improvement from the 20% in term one.

“It is very sad for us that this tragic situation is being exploited by individuals who can gain monetary benefit from it by using it to attract more followers,” said the school.

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