The principal of PJ Simelani Secondary School in Dobsonville, Soweto cancelled the memorial at the last minute and pupils were not happy about this.
Family members and the pupils decided to hold the memorial service of the young man anyway, without any involvement of his teachers or the principal.
The principal was standing outside during the service until the family called him to order.
The family from Tshepisong in Mogale City is still demanding answers from the school after Tiro committed suicide. This was after his teacher allegedly made fun of his sexuality.
He died on 16 August, but the family hasn’t heard any information on what will happen next regarding the teacher.
His aunt Lele Seleka called the principal to stand in front as she addressed him. “Firstly, you haven’t said anything about this teacher and the steps that will be taken.
“Secondly, you cancel the memorial a few minutes before it’s supposed to start.
“It seems none of this bothers you,” said Lele.
She said their child wanted to be a doctor and their love for him is what makes them angry. “We came here to know more about Tiro’s life in school, but the very same people who knew more about him left the school premises as if there was a bomb at the school.
“Justice will be served whether you like it or not,” she said.
School Governing Body chairman Peter Tlokwana expressed how sad he was to have lost one of the pupils.
He said the school needs to have a platform where they can talk about whatever is bothering them.
“What happened to Tiro is heartbreaking, and the fact that we lose kids in this school every year is sad,” said Peter.
Friend Tumelo Dielo (15) said she still couldn’t believe that Tiro’s really gone.
“I’m just out of words. Heaven has gained an angel while I have lost a friend.I know that we will all die eventually but I didn’t expect this to happen now, especially not like this,” said Tumelo.
Provincial secretary of the Congress of South African Students, Siphiwe Radebe, said if they didn’t get attention from the education department about Tiro’s case, they’d shut down schools.
