Well-known social worker and founder of the Isa Mathivha Foundation Ms Pfarelo Mathivha has made an impassioned plea to parents and other stakeholders to support children on their educational journeys.
Mathivha's appeal follows the tragic deaths of two learners in the Vhembe region, believed to be suicides. The learners, one from Hamashau Thondoni and the other from Thohoyandou Block F, allegedly took their own lives after learning they had failed their Grade 10 final examinations. The separate incidents occurred on Wednesday, 11 December.
Vhembe SAPS spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi reported that the first incident had happened at Mashau Thondoni at around 13:30. According to information supplied to the police, the 16-year-old learner's mother had gone to collect his results at a school in Thohoyandou. While on her way home, the boy called to ask about his results, and she informed him that he had not passed. On her arrival at home, she found that the boy had hanged himself.
In the second incident, a 15-year-old boy from Thohoyandou Block F was found hanging in his home. A school report showing he had failed was found nearby.
Ms Mathivha said the incidents had sent shockwaves through the community. "We live in a society where academic success is viewed as a measure of worth. Children, driven by the desire to meet expectations, may feel trapped by the fear of failure," she said.
She urged parents to teach children that failure is not the end but an integral part of their personal and academic growth.