Cape Town – The talented Sibusiso Dakuse was looking forward to his first performance at the Hout Bay Music Project.
The Grade 7 pupil at the Sentinel Primary school, who had recently joined the project, had a gift for performing. In the accompanying video he recites a poem which was recorded by Dwyn Griesel, director of the Kronendal Music Academy in Hout Bay.
On Sunday, Griesel will be riding the Cape Town Cycle Tour with Dakuse's face printed on her T-shirt in a bid to raise money for the Kronendal Music Academy, where they are "100% committed to providing a safe place for our other 108 precious children in the afternoons, filled with laughter, a healthy meal and the power of beautiful music", in Sibusiso's honour.
The fact that this was a special boy shines through in the video – never expecting that he would be another child murder victim in the Western Cape.
The body of the 12-year-old boy was found in reeds on Kronendal Farm in Hout Bay on Friday – 10 minutes from his home.
He had gone missing on Wednesday after leaving his Mandela Park home to play with friends.
The Hout Bay Music Project, which will be hosting a memorial for Sibusiso on Friday, said in a statement: “We are all sad. A young pupil who had just joined the Hout Bay Music Project was found dead in Hout Bay. Sibusiso Dakuse was only 12.
“He was to sing a solo at his first gig with us this month. A sweet and talented boy, his tragic death has left us all shocked.”
A 23-year-old suspect, believed to be a basketball coach, was due to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday on a murder charge.
Police spokesperson Novela Potelwa said the suspect, who was arrested on Saturday, was known to the child.
His aunt, Thabisa Dakuse, told the Cape Argus: “After photos were shown to Sibusiso’s family by the police and pathologists, they agreed the body was that of Sibusiso."
Sibusiso's mother, Yonelisa Dakuse, was overcome with emotion during court proceedings. Picture: Sisonke Mlamla/Cape Argus
She described Sibusiso as a sweet, humble, down-to-earth and caring child, adding "he liked to sing".
Griesel said he was an "incredibly sensitive" and talented young man, News24 reported.
"He had an incredible love for life and was so curious about the world around him. He was so intelligent and really knew how to communicate through his music.
"Sometimes he would bring us to tears when he sang," said Griesel, adding that he was was about to start learning to play the violin.
Community activist Lee Smith told the Cape Times the Hout Bay community was devastated at the loss of another young life.
“We live in fear because our women and children are under attack. We need assistance because informal settlements are hard to police,” he said.
If you would like to donate money to the Kronendal Music Academy in honour of #SibusisoRIP, the account details are: Nedbank, Kronendal Music Academy of Hout Bay; Branch code: 1676091; Acc# (IBAN): 1676 042 490; Swift code: NEDSZAJJ.