By Ndivhuwo Mukwevho
- Akonaho Masikhwa left a suicide note naming two teachers who bullied him at Bababa Secondary School.
- His mother says no one from the school has visited the family since Tuesday’s tragedy happened.
Akonaho Masikhwa was found dead at his home on Tuesday. The Grade 9 learner left behind a note saying he was tired of being bullied by teachers at Bababa Secondary School.
His mother, who asked not to be named, says her son was friendly and got along with everyone. She cannot understand what drove him to take his own life.
“It is so painful to lose a child in this manner and as a family we are so shattered,” she said.
“But what hurts the most is that we will never know what was said to my son which led him to kill himself. The note he left just said there are two teachers who said or did something to him at school.”
The grieving mother says no one from Bababa Secondary School has visited the family since her son died. Only the local education circuit manager came to see them.
“We had hoped to see some people from the school but so far no one has been able to visit or even call,” she said.
“It seems like they know something which we do not know or there is someone whom they are trying to protect.”
Other learners told the family that some teachers at Bababa Secondary bully pupils because of their family backgrounds. The mother says learners pointed to the same teachers her son named in his suicide note.
“I sent my son to school to learn and become something in life but now look at what has happened,” she said.
“He killed himself because of school. I never suspected that he might be facing challenges at school as he is a very open minded person who was able to share everything with me.”
Education department spokesperson Mike Maringa says officials are waiting for a report on what happened. He confirmed they have seen a copy of the suicide note.
The mother has urged teachers at Bababa to stop bullying learners.
“If it is true that there are teachers who are bullying learners at the school, they better stop before many lives are lost,” she said.
“Not all young people can stand up from being bullied as some are not strong mentally. Please, please stop it.”
Police could not be reached for comment.
Pictured above: Some of the Bababa Secondary School learners.
Image source: Supplied
