Byline: Refeloe Letsoisa
28 April 2025
A somber yet powerful atmosphere prevailed outside Thomas Nhlabathi Secondary School in eMbalenhle, on Sunday, 27 April 2025, as the Madikgetla family, along with teachers, learners, and the community members gathered to commemorate the life of the late Tumisho Kevin Madikgetla (19) — a Grade 12 learner whose life was tragically cut short earlier this year.
Kevin was fatally stabbed by a fellow learner after school hours on 27 February 2025, a devastating incident that left the school and community reeling in grief. The Sunday’s event marked both a remembrance and a call to action, with preparations underway for a peaceful march to the Department of Education circuit offices in Secunda, scheduled for Friday, 02 May 2025.
During the tribute, speakers shared heartfelt messages and memories of Kevin, painting a picture of a young man who was well-loved, full of potential, and deeply missed by those who knew him. “We miss him every day,” said one teacher, “and we’ll never forget the impact he had in our classrooms and in our lives.”
To support the upcoming march, the family raised funds through the sale of cupcakes, t-shirts, and caps. The peaceful march organisers emphasized, is not a protest of aggression, but a demand for justice and improved school safety.
Although the family were able to raise some funds on the said day, they still humbly request assistance with donations to provide a mobile toilet and water for individuals who will attend the march.
Khanyisa Makhubele, speaking on behalf of the family shared:
“The peaceful march does not mean that we are fighting; we are not fighting with anyone. But we want justice to be served to the Madikgetla family. We want to spread the message that safety in schools should be a priority — enough school resources, especially desks and chairs, are important.”
The accused in Kevin’s murder case, who was granted bail set at R2,000, is due to appear at the Evander Magistrate’s Court on the same day as the march, 02 May 2025.
The community continues to rally behind the Madikgetla family, standing together in mourning and in pursuit of a safer future for all learners.
