The Naledi Hall was packed to capacity, where the lives of five children who died after allegedly consuming chips that had traces of poison were celebrated in a memorial service. Isago Mabote (7), Njabulo Msimango (7), Zinhle Maama (7), Karabo Rampou (8) and Monica Sathekge (6) died on Sunday afternoon while one of their friends is still fighting for his life in the hospital.
SOMEBODY MUST ACCOUNT
Speaking on behalf of the Msimango family who lost Njabulo, Busi Mnguni urged the government to bring back assemblies so that kids can go back to praying. "Naledi is a praying community but now we've become vulnerable because we have distanced ourselves from God and given evil doers leeway to do as they please with our children's lives," Mnguni said. She emphasised that she strongly believes that there is something wrong in Naledi."We cannot lose children like this.The same thing happened last year around this time. It's obvious somebody is in a cult, khona othwele la eNaledi (someone has sacrificed with our kids). So it's up to you community members to deal with this and protect your kids and be parents to all of them, she said.
THEY WERE GREAT KIDS
Mnguni also said that Njabulo was a brilliant child who always believed that he was way ahead of life. Zinhle Maama's teacher, Dimakatso Mkhize, relived the last moments that she shared with her, saying she will miss her vibrant energy and broad smile. "She was a beautiful child with a beautiful soul. The first thing I'd notice about her when she entered the classroom was her smile and then she would walk towards me to greet before heading to her desk. Zinhle was a high achiever who enjoyed learning more than anything else. She interacted well with other learners and it was also easy to reprimand her because she was not a disrespectful child," said Mkhize.
ILLEGAL FOREIGNERS SHOULD NOT TRADE IN TOWNSHIPS
MEC for Education Matome Chiloane said as government officials, they need to come together and talk about foreign nationals trading in the townships. "The community needs to be our eyes and ears when it comes to such incidents. Such incidents need to come to a stop; this should be the last time we are faced with such a tragedy. Undocumented foreign nationals shouldn't be allowed to trade in our country," he said. The funeral of the five learners will be on Sunday.
