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Class fight ends in death fall
14/11/2003 22:59 - (SA)
Candice Swarts, Die Burger
Cape Town - A classroom fight ended tragically when a grade 5 pupil at Eastville Primary School in Mitchell's Plain died after allegedly hitting her head against a desk.
Sandisiwe Languza, 11, from Khayelitsha, died after she allegedly lost her balance during a tussle with a classmate.
The incident apparently happened while an exam adjudicator was out of the classroom.
The adjudicator left one of the children in charge and told her to keep a list of those who misbehaved.
Sandisiwe's name was on the list and she apparently confronted the child about this. The two started pushing each other around.
It is believed Sandisiwe lost her balance and hit her head against a desk before collapsing.
The school's deputy principal, Colin Swart, administered emergency treatment, but with no success.
An ambulance and the Western Cape department of education's safety in school's programme were summoned.
She was close to my heart, says dad
Sandisiwe's parents, Patrick and Angelina Languza, as well as her uncle, Lulama Maji, rushed to the school.
Emergency personnel were unable to revive Sandisiwe at the school and she was rushed to Red Cross Children's Hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival.
Maji said the family was in shock.
He said Sandisiwe had been an active child and she had been top of her class.
The child's shocked father said she had been "a very happy child and close to my heart. I don't know how I am going to carry on".
The family is expected to consult with school officials on Monday.
Ron Swartz, head of Western Cape education, expressed his condolences and said support would be offered to the pupils in Sandisiwe's class.
The education department is also expected to launch an inquiry into the incident.
The school refused to comment.
Sandisiwe is survived by her parents, a brother, Garth, 17, and a sister, Sibongile, 12. Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalised.
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