A matric pupil from Tiego Tawana Secondary School in Dithakang village near Mafikeng in the North West has died after allegedly being forcefully taken to an initiation school.
According to his family, Onalenna Booi, 19, went missing after completing his matric examinations in late November. His disappearance was reported to the police, and he was later found dead.
School principal Pogiso Tshipo said he was devastated by the news, adding that he had high hopes for the pupil’s academic success.
“I was expecting a bachelor’s matric pass from the pupil,” Tshipo said.
He described Booi as a hardworking learner whose attitude changed significantly during his final year of school.
“I spoke to him in September and he promised to do well in his examinations. He was naughty, but when he started Grade 12 his behaviour changed drastically. You could see this was a pupil who was hungry and determined to perform well,” Tshipo said.
The circumstances surrounding Booi’s death are being investigated.
