DURBAN - The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education is mourning the tragic deaths of two pupils and the passing of former head of department Dr Enock Nzama over the weekend.
Education MEC Kwazi Mshengu announced the death of the former HOD, who died on Sunday morning after a long illness.
Cabinet members visited the family to express their condolences on Monday.
Nzama had taken early retirement due to illness which the Daily News understands was related to brain cancer. In his condolences message, Mshengu described Nzama as a consummate and quintessential professional who served the department with distinction.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the departure of Dr Nzama. Our fervent prayers are with his family and we hope that God will comfort them during this very difficult period,” said the MEC.
He further said Dr Nzama served the department meritoriously from the time when he was an educator up until he occupied the highest office, where he served as a chief director for TVET Colleges, deputy director-general responsible for curriculum development and delivery, and ultimately as the head of the department.
DA education portfolio member Dr Imran Keeka also sent his party’s condolences.
“We pray for strength and comfort for his loved and closest ones during this time of bereavement. Surely his passing will be very painful and sad for them,” said Keeka.
Mshengu also announced the death of two Grade 9 pupils, Ntando Wandile Mdletshe,16, and his brother Olwethu Siphesihle Mdletshe, 14, from Empangeni High School were travelling with their father, Njabulo Mdletshe when they were involved in a fatal accident on Friday.
According to the department, the father had fetched the teens from school and they were going home to Hluhluwe to spend the Human Rights holiday together. The two pupils were hostel boarders.
The accident happened on the N2 route between Mtubatuba and Hluhluwe, where all of them died on the scene.
“This is a very sad moment for our school community. I have contacted the family and permission was granted for the department to appraise all stakeholders,” said Education MEC Kwazi Mshengu.
Family spokesperson Kwanele Mdletshe told the Daily News on Monday the family were still discussing funeral arrangements and perhaps bury them on Saturday, although this was not confirmed.
KZN Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said further details regarding the funeral arrangements for the two pupils and Nzama would be communicated later.
Daily News