A cloud of grief has descended upon Lakeside Secondary School in Sebokeng, where the school community is grappling with the sudden and tragic passing of a Grade 12 learner. The matric pupil died on Monday evening, November 3, under heartbreaking circumstances.
According to reports, the learner was at home when she fell ill, allegedly beginning to vomit while in bed. When her condition deteriorated rapidly, she was rushed to a local medical facility. Tragically, she was certified dead upon arrival.
The news has sent shockwaves through the school, particularly among her fellow matriculants who are in the thick of their crucial final examinations.
A Support System Mobilises
In response to the tragedy, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has expressed its profound sadness and extended its deepest condolences to the learner’s family, friends, and the entire school community.
Recognising the immense emotional toll such an event takes, the department has swiftly activated its support network. The GDE’s Psycho-Social Support Unit has been dispatched to Lakeside Secondary. Their critical role is to provide immediate counselling and emotional support to both learners and staff who are struggling to process this devastating loss.
In a statement, the GDE acknowledged the particular difficulty of this tragedy, noting, “This occurs during a critical period for our matriculants.” They reiterated that emotional and psychological support services are available to anyone in need during this challenging examination period, urging learners, parents, and the school community to reach out.
An Investigation Underway
As the school community begins the painful process of healing, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has opened an investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the learner’s untimely death.
For now, the focus at Lakeside Secondary is on unity and support. As textbooks and past exam papers are set aside, the school is leaning on its strength as a community, remembering a young life lost far too soon and supporting those left to navigate this profound loss during one of the most stressful times of their academic lives.
