Hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil on Monday night to honour the memory of matric pupil Corné Hale, who died after an incident outside a nightclub.
Grieving classmates, friends and family clad in white, walked to the sound of bagpipes to the nightclub in Edward Street, Bellville, where Corné was assaulted last Wednesday night, a day after completing his final exam. Some mourners released white balloons while others placed red roses beneath a wooden cross attached to a tree on the pavement outside the club.
Fellow pupil, Liezel van Zyl, 18, said she shared a desk with Corné at Hoërskool Tygerberg.
“I got the news on Thursday morning and went to the hospital. I was in tears the whole day. He was the funniest person I knew and I always looked forward to seeing him,” said Van Zyl, fighting back the tears.
“I can’t understand how someone could hurt him.”
The 19-year-old pupil – who played rugby for the school’s first team, was a Western Province hurdler and enjoyed cricket – was taken to Melomed Hospital in Bellville after the incident, but died on Saturday evening after suffering brain damage.
Corné wanted become a professional model and planned to study teaching.
His father, Craig, said he hoped his son’s death would serve as a warning to other youngsters to refrain from abusing alcohol and drugs.
“I feel empty but I also feel that my son is being used to make a statement so other kids’ lives can be saved.
“My family is so thankful to all those who have supported us but I also want to give other parents hope to seek help if their children are in trouble,” said Hale.
Corné’s mother, Hester, said returning to the scene was very painful, but the show of support proved her son was much loved.
Corné’s funeral service will be held on Monday afternoon at His People Christian Church in Goodwood.
On Wednesday police spokesman Andre Traut confirmed that a 24-year-old Bellville man who handed himself over to the police last Friday had since been released on R2 000 bail.
The man was expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Monday. -