Hundreds of community members, learners, educators and local leaders gathered outside Louis Trichardt on Saturday, 30 August, for the funeral of 10-year-old Tshilidzi Phafula.
The Grade 4 learner at Tondani Primary School was discovered by her stepfather, hanging from burglar bars inside the family home on the evening of Friday, 22 August.
The incident came just a week after another local learner from Tshitavha Mudzulathungo attempted suicide by swallowing multiple pills after being bullied at school. She survived.
The tragedies have raised concerns about the increasing incidence of teenage suicides in the area.
Community leader Hulisani Muremi, chief administrative officer at the Vhulaudzi Original Crime Prevention Organisation, said the community was shaken by the sudden loss of such a young child.
"We are deeply saddened by the incident. We have dealt with many cases, but in most, learners attempt suicide using pills. This case is unique. We are disturbed and left with questions surrounding her death. Just last week, we nearly lost another child who attempted suicide. We are grateful she survived. We are now calling on parents to be close to their children at all times. Let us rally around them and assist them when they have problems," he said.
Muremi added that children today struggled to absorb pressure, making open communication with parents essential.
"We cannot say exactly what happened in this case, but we trust the police to do their work and uncover the truth," he said.
Phafula was laid to rest at the local Phadzima cemetery over the past weekend.