BONGINKOSI Zatu, 17, of Mpindweni near Mthatha had dreams of becoming a lawyer, promising his mother he would work hard to help educate his younger siblings.This after watching his widowed mother, 52-year-old Banakile MaMhlongo Zatu, struggle to feed, clothe and educate her children by doing odd jobs and other chores in the village.
“My son believed education would make a difference in his home. He said I would never be poor when he got his degree. He wanted to look after his siblings and said education was the way for him,” said the heartbroken woman.
“My child feared and loved God, but his young life was cut short.”
Zatu said her son was found dead on June 20 reportedly after suffering hallucinations during his initiation. According to doctors’ reports, Bonginkosi died of dehydration and septicemia. No arrests have been made in the case.
Bonginkosi was a born-again Christian and member of the Last Hour Harvest Church. In Grade 10 at Atwell Madala Junior Secondary school in Mthatha, he excelled in sport, especially volleyball.
His mother said: “I’ve lost a son because of initiation. It’s a painful thing that we as parents, mostly mothers, are living with these days.” — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Introducing Bonginkosi Zatu
This after watching his widowed mother, 52-year-old Banakile MaMhlongo Zatu, struggle to feed, clothe and educate her children by doing odd jobs and other chores in the village.
“My son believed education would make a difference in his home. He said I would never be poor when he got his degree. He wanted to look after his siblings and said education was the way for him,” said the heartbroken woman.
“My child feared and loved God, but his young life was cut short.”
Zatu said her son was found dead on June 20 reportedly after suffering hallucinations during his initiation. According to doctors’ reports, Bonginkosi died of dehydration and septicemia. No arrests have been made in the case.
Bonginkosi was a born-again Christian and member of the Last Hour Harvest Church. In Grade 10 at Atwell Madala Junior Secondary school in Mthatha, he excelled in sport, especially volleyball.
His mother said: “I’ve lost a son because of initiation. It’s a painful thing that we as parents, mostly mothers, are living with these days.” — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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