Cape Town - The foyer of the Masiphumelele Community Hall was lined with heartbreaking letters from 14-year-old Amani Pula’s classmates at his memorial service on Wednesday.
Hundreds of Amani’s friends, family and community members packed the hall to pay tribute to him, a week after he was allegedly raped and murdered in his home. Amani’s uncle Monde Pula found the teen’s body on the couch of their family home last Tuesday.
He was half naked and his hands had been tied behind his back.
After Amani’s death, a group of residents went on the rampage in Masiphumelele, allegedly killing a man and then stoning police.
Residents said they were protesting the lack of an effective police presence in the area. One said that the killing had sent a warning to other criminals. This week, another man was killed in the area in an alleged vigilante murder.
On Wednesday, Aman’s best friend Kevin bid an emotional farewell at the memorial. Kevin and Amani met in creche when they were both five, and had been close ever since.
“There are so many things I’ll always remember about us,” Kevin said. “How my mom used to chase us from the TV room to the bedroom because we were laughing so loudly.”
He said he would always cherish the dreams he and Amani used to talk about.
“Our journey was short, but the fullest. Amani, I love you, dear brother.”
Amani’s relative Mfundiso Pula said he was a sporty child who loved wearing tracksuits and takkies – perfect for playing cricket and football.
“He grew up a lovely child,” Pula said. “Most of all, he loved his mother dearly, and his grandmother… I wish we could meet for one last game.”
Amani attended Imhoff Waldorf. His classmates wrote and painted beautiful cards to their friend, which were displayed outside the memorial.
“When I first joined the school, you were in class 6. I fell off the swing and you helped me even though you didn’t know me,” said one anonymous letter.
Another schoolmate wrote: “I know life will not be the same without you. I don’t know why you had to die.”
Cape Argus