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A band, standing by Siyabonga Mnisi’s coffin, plays at his funeral in Soweto.
Five-year-old, Siyabonga Mnisi, who died on Wednesday of a suspected food-borne illness has been laid to rest. Mourners gathered at his home in Diepkloof, Soweto to bid him farewell on Sunday.
The Grade R learner from Dumezweni Primary School fell ill after consuming snacks allegedly bought from a local spaza shop.
Siyabonga Mnisi’s mother, Thandeka Ndalimane, still cannot believe her son is no more.
Ndalimane described the little boy as a bubbly and a sweet child, who was forever smiling.
Mourner Refiloe Tshabalala read out the letter penned by Ndalimane.
“You left a big pain that no one will ever fill. My child, even now I find it hard to believe that you are gone. I sometimes pinch myself with the intentions that you might appear, but no, you will never come back, my love. I’m grateful for the time I had with you as my son. I loved and nurtured you as my own better half,” reads the letter in part.
Siyabonga was due to graduate from Grade R on Friday.
His teacher Ms Simelani says they have lost a future leader.
“When I heard the news of his passing, I didn’t know what to say, because he was supposed to graduate on Friday and now, it never happened. He was happy for his graduation. But now his graduation is celebrated today. Farewell, my child,” she says.
Ward councilor Brenda Dammie says what happened to the little boy should be an eye opener for all.
She’s urged parents to be cautious of what their children purchase and consume.
“If a child ask for R1, it’s obvious that child is not going to keep it, but that child is going to buy something. Now, ask yourself a question as a parent when you give that child R1, what is it that the child is going to buy, where is the child going to buy. We are crying because of the poison that our children are eating,” says Dammie.
Foodborne Illnesses | Five-year-old Diepkloof victim Siyabonga Mnisi laid to rest
Meanwhile, investigations are underway into the exact cause of death of an 8-year-old learner from Diepkloof in Soweto. The eight-year-old Grade 2 pupil from Thabisile Primary School in Diepkloof died in hospital on Friday.
She fell ill on Wednesday after she had allegedly consumed biscuits from a local spaza shop.
This comes as five-year-old Siyabonga Mnisi also from Diepkloof was laid to rest today.
More than 20 children have succumbed to food-borne illnesses in the past months.
Gauteng education department spokesperson Steve Mabona says the department is deeply saddened by the tragic incidents.
“Her condition reportedly worsened over the course of two days and she was taken to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital on Friday, where she was tragically declared deceased. At this stage, the exact cause of her passing remains unclear,” says Mabona.
He says the relevant authorities are conducting investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the latest incident.
Mabona says the department will on Monday send psycho-social support unit to provide counselling to the affected family, learners, and staff at Thabisile Primary School on Monday.
Anti-immigrant group, Operation Dudula, is heading to court to compel the government to shut down all shops until they are registered.
Operation Dudula President, Zandile Dabula says they cannot stand by and watch children die.
