Father’s nightmare that will never end
Sibusiso Khuzwayo, the father of the teenage learner who committed suicide said, “He was such a polite, gentle and loving yet, brave young man."
It was a moving and emotional send-off for the young Midrand High School learner, Sphelele Khuzwayo who took his own life.
The Noordwyk teenager was laid to rest at the Waterfall City Cemetery on September 9. On September 7, the Grade 9 learner was remembered at the memorial service where emotions ran high as his peers broke down in tears.
Sphelele’s father, Sibusiso Khuzwayo, confirmed to the paper that the teenager had committed suicide by hanging himself. Sphelele (15) took his own life on August 31, at his home in Noordwyk.
Sibusiso said he was still baffled. “At first I thought he was bullied, but knowing him, he would stand up for himself. I don’t know what might have triggered him to take his life, but I think it’s a demonic possession that might have got the better of him – hence he took his life,”
He said he does not blame anyone for his son’s decision, but it was a big loss to him. “He was such a polite, gentle and loving yet, brave young man. His passing is a big loss to me and the family, but I am grateful to the school which has been supporting us since then. They (the school) promised to also provide the family with counselling.”
Following an alarming spike in learner suicide, Gauteng MEC of Education Matome Chiloane deployed 500 learner support agent coaches to fight the scourge.
Speaking at the observation of the International Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, Chiloane said the department will partner with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag), Childline, the Teddy Bear Foundation, and the National Association of Child and Youth Care Workers, to help learners deal with psychological challenges that may lead to suicide or suicidal thoughts.
“The GDE’s learner suicide prevention interventions include deploying 500 learner support agents to provide them with an early warning mechanism and give peer counselling to support 1 200 schools, sending an additional 120 social workers to assist with risk assessment of learners, deploying 500 Ke Moja coaches to assist with substance abuse awareness and to provide counselling free of charge for learners and teachers,” explained Chiloane.
He concluded that no less than 300 learner deaths have been reported to the department, including 40 alleged suicides since the start of the year.
Details: Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0800 567 567.
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Grade 9 learner from Midrand High remembered at the memorial service
