Getrude Makhafola
Getrude Makhafola
Given Nhlapo's promise to his grandmother that he would pass matric with flying colours will never come to pass. He was crushed to death by a brick wall that fell on top of him at the weekend.
Nhlapo, 19, died on Sunday after bricks from a wall fell on him while he was sitting under a tree near the wall. Two friends who were with him suffered minor injuries.
His grandmother, Florence Dyonta, said her grandson had come to live with her after his mother died in 2002.
"He was such a good boy. He promised me he was going to do brilliantly in his matric exams.
"He will not be able to realise that dream now," said a sobbing Dyonta.
According to a neighbour, Nhlapo and his friends were sitting under the tree near the wall when it suddenly came crashing down.
"All of a sudden the wall just fell over, towards the boys. I think Given was sitting much closer to the wall than his friends.
A solid block of 20 bricks landed on Nhlapo's chest.
"We managed to remove the bricks, but realised that he was coughing up blood. It was horrible," said Mirriam Tsotetsi.
Nhlapo's friend, Mpho Tsotetsi, said while they were sitting under the tree he had wanted to leave, but Nhlapo kept saying he was tired and suggested they stay a little longer under the tree.
"Maybe this would not have happened if we had left when I wanted to," said Tsotetsi.
When Sowetan visited the family in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, on Monday, the Nhlapo house was crowded with pupils from nearby Fatang High School. They came to pray with the family.
Nhlapo will be buried on Sunday in Katlehong.
Collapsed wall kills dreams
Getrude Makhafola
Getrude Makhafola
Given Nhlapo's promise to his grandmother that he would pass matric with flying colours will never come to pass. He was crushed to death by a brick wall that fell on top of him at the weekend.
Nhlapo, 19, died on Sunday after bricks from a wall fell on him while he was sitting under a tree near the wall. Two friends who were with him suffered minor injuries.
His grandmother, Florence Dyonta, said her grandson had come to live with her after his mother died in 2002.
"He was such a good boy. He promised me he was going to do brilliantly in his matric exams.
"He will not be able to realise that dream now," said a sobbing Dyonta.
According to a neighbour, Nhlapo and his friends were sitting under the tree near the wall when it suddenly came crashing down.
"All of a sudden the wall just fell over, towards the boys. I think Given was sitting much closer to the wall than his friends.
A solid block of 20 bricks landed on Nhlapo's chest.
"We managed to remove the bricks, but realised that he was coughing up blood. It was horrible," said Mirriam Tsotetsi.
Nhlapo's friend, Mpho Tsotetsi, said while they were sitting under the tree he had wanted to leave, but Nhlapo kept saying he was tired and suggested they stay a little longer under the tree.
"Maybe this would not have happened if we had left when I wanted to," said Tsotetsi.
When Sowetan visited the family in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, on Monday, the Nhlapo house was crowded with pupils from nearby Fatang High School. They came to pray with the family.
Nhlapo will be buried on Sunday in Katlehong.