The family of a 14-year-old boy who allegedly committed suicide say the pain of losing him is too much to bear.
Madembe Lucky Nkosi, a Grade 9 learner at Thivhilaeli Secondary School in Maniini, is reported to have taken his own life by hanging. The incident occurred in Maniini on Monday, 7 April 2025, at around 08:00.
His sister, Ms Thanzi Nkosi, said the family had woken up that morning to prepare for their usual mountain prayer session. "It was during this time that Madembe, who was preparing to go with the rest of the family, enquired about a [missing] R50 that he had saved in the house," she said. He had apparently planned to use the money for the journey to the mountains.
"No one in the house seemed to know about it, and we left him crying in the house. We only later received a call that he had taken his life. He never complained of any other thing except his missing money. His death has left us with many questions and only speculation about the R50," she said.
Thanzi described Madembe as a well-mannered boy who was passionate about his education.
He was buried at the local graveyard on Saturday, 11 April. His funeral was attended by many learners and educators from Thivhilaeli Secondary School, along with members of the community.
A well-known education motivator, Mr Murendeni Ndanduleni – better known as Musanda Musanda in education circles – also attended the funeral. He said he had started supporting the young man with school uniforms and other necessities after visiting the school last year.
Speaking at the funeral, he said the best way to honour Madembe's memory would be for learners at Thivhilaeli to study hard and produce quality results. He also urged them to abstain from sex, drugs and alcohol as a tribute to the boy.