Introducing Kwanele Mlenzana

THE family of Kwanele Mlenzana, who died in an initiation hut while waiting for an ambulance, says their son’s death could have been prevented.

Vusumzi Mlenzana said his son died in his arms as the ambulance arrived 11 hours after being called. later to save Kwanele.  The 17-year-old died in the initiation hut in Lutateni Village near Mount Frere.

“I am not blaming them for my child’s death. His time had come but if they arrived in time, he would have been alive today. The 11-hour wait was just too much for me.” said Mlenzana.

17-year-old Kwanele was one of 14 boys who had undergone the traditional rite in their village. Mlenzana said all the boys were healthy and the school was registered.

“We had a registered school here and all the boys were well and fit at the time they went to the school. My son started to become sick a few days later ... and his situation deteriorated and we started to get worried,” Mlenzana said.

The deceased reportedly complained of stomach and chest pains. “That is something he never had when he left for the school.” the father said.

A day before he died, Kwanele called for medication to be sent to him. Instead, the family called for emergency help. But that could not help and his family called for emergency help. When an ambulance eventually arrived, – allegedly 11 hours late – he was declared dead.

Kwanele was a Grade 10 pupil at Lutateni Junior Secondary School. According to his father, like any other child in the village, he had dreams of “uplifting his family”.

“Oh, he wanted to make sure that, after matric, he will go to university and come back to build our home. He wanted to uplift our standards and be better like the well-off families. It’s sad to bury a child who you didn’t give any medicine to help,” said Mlenzana said. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za