Cape Town - In response to a bullying incident that led to Bisho High School learner Lathitha Nako committing suicide, a group of youngsters and community traditional leaders congregated in Nyanga to raise awareness on the issue while celebrating the Eastern Cape schoolgirl’s life.
Nako, 16, who had a spiritual calling, took her life after allegedly being bullied by fellow learners for “practising witchcraft” last week.
The incident, which caused outrage and shock, led to two teachers at the school being placed on special leave.
Traditional leader Sigruzuba Masumpa said while similar cases were not widely reported in the Western Cape schools, a number of learners with spiritual callings were suffering in silence.
“While this can be blamed on the lack of curriculum on African spirituality in schools, this can also be blamed on the learners’ ignorance.
“The same kids go to school with these spiritually gifted learners who are also part of the society, from the same areas which we all come from and co-exist.
“We are aware that such incidents had been going on for some time and some are reported but treated as general bullying and not the specific target bullying they are.
“Until it is understood why these kids have to wear these beads at school and act a certain way, which is not detrimental to others in a schooling environment, we still have a long way to go,” he said.
Chief Zanenyani Mazondwa said much needs to be done, not only at a schooling environment level, but on a societal level where people have to learn to be tolerant towards one’s choices, beliefs and how they identified.
“This incident has brought to the forefront the long-awaited conversations we have been advocating for for years and its unfortunate that it had come to a point where someone had to lose their life, but hopefully it wont be in vain.
“There is a resistance in schools to keeping out traditional leaders in assisting with teachings of African spirituality. The government of the day would rather embrace and enforce certain religions while snubbing others at the cost of the black child and his development.
“We need to unite, launch and support initiatives that would ensure the black child is enlightened of their identity so that they are able to tolerate the next person, which they deem unique to them,” he said.
Luyolo Lengisi, the artistic director at Emthonjeni Arts Production, said Nako’s death was a defining moment for a society that needed introspection and a lesson surely learnt.
Nako was laid to rest on Sunday at here home village at Tyutyu location in Bisho.