KES boys won't seek revenge
2007-09-20 23:50
Johannesburg - Pupils at King Edward VII School (KES) in Houghton promised on Thursday that they would not avenge the murder of their school friend, 18-year-old Mfundo Ntshangase.
He died on Sunday morning from damage to his heart and liver, after being stabbed at a party in Randburg following a school function.
The promise was made at a memorial service for Mfundo, amid reports that pupils from the school and those of Athlone Boys High in Bezuidenhout's Valley were planning to do battle.
Four Athlone pupils were arrested this week for the murder and an attack on Mfundo's best friend, Thabo Linda, 19. A fifth suspect is a pupil at Central Johannesburg College in Langlaagte.
They appeared in Randburg Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
'I will not become involved in any violence'
Gugu Zulu, who is a friend of Mfundo's mother Nonhlanhla, pleaded with the boys at the memorial service.
"In your tributes you described Mfundo as an honourable man and an advocate of peace. If that's how you really feel then you must promise not to become involved in any violence."
The boys repeated after her: "Today, I do solemnly promise that I will not become involved in any violence. I make the choice today to become an agent of peace and an instrument of love."
Mfundo's mother's heartbreaking sobs were heard during the memorial service. She was inconsolable and repeatedly called out the name of her only child.
Thabo said he'd not been approached with talk of vengeance, but he knew it was in the thoughts of many of the boys.
"I hope that everyone keeps to their undertaking. I want Mfundo's death to mean something. If there was less violence in the world there'd be more room for peace. We're KES boys, true gentlemen, and that's how we should be."
Every action has its consequences
After the service the boys linked up in the square for their war cry, the "Itchy ballagoota", in memory of Mfundo.
Mike Fennell, the headmaster, said he was relieved that there had been arrests.
"It shows that every action has its consequences - but I get a feeling of desperation when I think of those boys. What kind of world are we living in where a decision to take a life is made so easily?"