Learners at Parktown Boys’ High School, staff, family members and community members bid farewell to Enock Mpianzi at a memorial service held on 28 January.
Reverend Trevor Slade led a service celebrating and championing Enock’s life, which was taken too soon.
Enock’s friend Mpho Molelekeng, who went to school with Enock at Brixton Primary, described him as a kind, friendly boy who never fought with anyone.
Mpho said, “Enock wanted to become a lawyer who would bring justice to South Africa.”
Friend of Enock Mpho Molelekeng says Enock wanted to be a lawyer who would bring justice to South Africa @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) January 28, 2020
Enock’s brother Mordecai Mpianzi described him as a social person who smiled often, never held grudges and ran his race according to the will of God.
Enock was celebrated as a strong Christian who was welcomed into the loving arms of his creator.
Teacher Ms Modipa-Xaba of Brixton Primary School said, “We felt honoured when Enock was accepted at Parktown Boys. We had hopes that our little school would make the news because of Enock’s achievements. It never crossed our mind that this would happen… He went to school for his first day with his bag in hand and came home in a body bag.”
Teacher at Brixton Primary Ms Modipa-Xaba says she hopes Enock will become a seed that sprouts and blossoms and changes the way that schools conduct excursions @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) January 28, 2020
The principal of Brixton Primary School Thabo Jones Dolo celebrated Enock as a strong Christian who was welcomed into the loving arms of his creator.
Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said that it had been a difficult two weeks, bidding farewell to a learner instead of congratulating him on his good results.
A burdened Lesufi pleaded with God to end the tragic deaths of learners in schools. “It’s becoming normal to issue death certificates rather than report cards… We never met, but when we met you [Enock] were in a body bag.”
Lesufi says it is become normal for him to issue death certificates rather than report cards @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) January 28, 2020
The brass and drum corps of Parktown Boys performed ‘The Last of the Mohicans’ as Enock’s family departed the hall.
Read the full story in the upcoming Rosebank Killarney Gazette.
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