Murdered Schoolboy Granted State-assisted Funeral
The Founders High School learner, Wayne Ndlovu, who was fatally stabbed by bullies from Hamilton High School, was buried at Umvutsha Cemetery on Bulawayo’s outskirts on Friday, reported The Herald.
Wayne, a Form Four pupil, was stabbed to death by a 17-year-old Hamilton High School pupil, on Monday 13 February 2023.
The Government granted him a State-assisted funeral and also acceded to his father’s request to hold his son’s burial service at the school.
Wayne’s father, Simiko Ndlovu, said that this could bring closure to other learners and send a message to pupils about the dire consequences of violence.
Founders High School head, Dorothea Moyo, revealed that Wayne aspired to be a doctor or engineer. She said:
He challenged other learners academically, he was always involved in sports and just last week he represented his school at the inter-school track and field competition held at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST).
Wayne was a good dancer and would provide entertainment at school and at home. He would extend a helping hand to anyone.
Wayne Ndlovu was our beloved learner who has been transferred into posterity. He was in 4A1, our first and science class where he qualified on merit due to his hard work and perseverance.
He aspired to be a medical doctor and he would say if he did not take the engineering route, he would become a medical doctor.
But it is so sad that his dream could not be fulfilled. He was very helpful, he would motivate his classmates to do their schoolwork.
She said the ministry’s efforts to address the issue of violence were in vain.
Moyo also revealed that even before Wayne was buried, some pupils were mobilising to seek revenge.
Wayne’s father said the death of his son had been difficult to take for his family, but he hoped it would mark an end to the interschool’s violent culture in Bulawayo.
Wayne was stabbed in the neck and the knife damaged his right jugular vein leading to his death.
