Bakang (7) and Rethabile (9) Mangena were in grades 1 and 3 at Drakies when they allegedly drowned last Thursday, March 10 when swimming at Lowveld Academy. The circumstances of the events are not known.
Charl Auret from Lowveld Academy said the school will make a statement in due time out of respect to the family. He said that the matter was reported to the police, the Department of Education, and Fedsas.
Classmates and parents of the Mangena children at Drakensig Primary shared their heartfelt condolences and memories of their friends on the school’s Facebook page after a photo of lit candles and flowers commemorating their friends’ passing, was posted.
“My heart goes out to the Mangena family, may the Lord’s love be with you through this very sad time, and may all the beautiful memories make your hearts heal faster,” wrote Thehan Wolmarans. Limpopo MEC for Social Development Nkakareng Rakgoale, together with the Maruleng Municipality mayor, Tsheko Musolwa, visited the Mangena family over the weekend.
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“May their souls rest in peace, and may the good Lord comfort the family, teachers, and friends during this time of mourning of their beloved daughter and son, classmates and friends,” Rakgoale said during her visit. She said social workers will provide psychological support to the family and other affected parties at Enable village, where the family resides, during this difficult period.
Herald asked Sheila Grobbelaar from Shamu Swimming Club for advice on water safety. She said parents, swim instructors and teachers should work together to keep an eye on children when at the pool. “I would like to send my condolences to the family and the school.
At galas, we deal with a lot of children and it is hard to give one person the duty of looking after the children and making sure that they are safe at all times. “As parents, we should introduce our children to swimming lessons from as early as six months. There are swimming schools where they are skilled in teaching babies to float and be able to lay on their backs in the pool,” she said.
She added that children who were not privileged enough to start swimming lessons at early age should be taught the basics
of saving themselves from drowning.
