Anothando Willie, a 13-year-old pupil at Xolani High School in Zwelitsha, took her own life on Saturday after allegedly being accused by two teachers and a fellow pupil of being a witch, possessed by demons.
Anothando’s family believed she had an ancestral calling, but some of her peers were unable to accept this.
This comes only a few months after Lathitha Nako, a Bhisho High School grade 10 pupil, killed herself after being bullied for similar reasons.
Xolani High School’s principal is said to have attempted to educate pupils about such callings, but two teachers are said to have called Anothando names.
On Facebook, Anothando, an only child, said she would never heal.
Her mother, Phumza Willie, said she was heartbroken.
She had lost a pillar of strength and a beacon of hope. Her entire life had come to a halt after she learnt her daughter had consumed rat poison to alleviate her pain.
Her mother described Anothando as a young teenager who liked a close group of friends and was usually indoors.
“I’m heartbroken and devastated, and what I’m experiencing right now cannot be articulated in words.
“We did everything together and she was my closest friend.”
Buzwaphi Willie, Anothando’s grandfather, said they had lost hope.
“Like any other parent, we expected our daughter to be the one burying us, not the other way about; she was meant to be the one who took away our misery.”
When they went to discuss what had occurred, a teacher and a man said it was God’s design, the grandfather said.
“We will follow up on this; for now, we are still grieving the death of our child; we are saddened but not satisfied with how they handled the entire case.
“It is as if they do not recognise the gravity of the situation.”
Petros Majola, from the Khula Development non-profit organisation, expressed sadness and disappointment.
Though teachers were not qualified to deal with ancestral callings and pupils undergoing training, the department of education had to find a way to deal with the problem.
“I personally don’t blame anyone, but seeing children die in the face of individuals who are supposed to support them is becoming the norm.”
He urged the department to take action immediately.
“It is time for the department of education to hold the sessions I have suggested, for all role players to debate the matter and find a path forward.”
Department of education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said the department was aware of Anothando’s death and would work with the affected school to investigate the procedures used to handle the issue.
Mtima said that when schools reopened after the holidays, the department would provide psychosocial assistance to both educators and pupils.
“Through debates and dialogues, pupils are encouraged to analyse the constitution’s Bill of Rights, which allows each and everyone to understand cultural diversity.”
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