When children leave home for university, parents expect to welcome them back in graduation gowns, not coffins.
This, unfortunately, wasn’t the case for the family of 18-year-old David Nkosingiphile Nxumalo who left Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal to further his studies. Instead of returning home with a university qualification in his hands and an advantage in having a brighter future, he will be going back home lifeless.
Meanwhile, Dimpho Mosia from Hebron in Pretoria who’s doing his second year in the humanities faculty at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) is recovering at the Charlotte Maxeke hospital.
The two students were caught in the crossfire of a shooting incident that took place outside Wits University in Braamfontein on Thursday, 29 February.
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On 4 March, the minister of higher education, science and innovation, Blade Nzimande, met with the families whose children were caught in the crossfire.
“The departed student was being educated by a single mother who’s a domestic worker. Here also, we found the mother and the sister sitting next to their son, this is actually a reminder to us as a country that without mothers, we’d not be making the kind of progress we’re making in the country, despite all the challenges,” he said, addressing the media outside the hospital.
“In the two instances, it is the mothers who are playing a leading role. It is something very important to remind us as a country that by supporting the mother, looking after them and not abusing them, we’re building a nation and a caring nation for that.”
Standing beside Blade, the hospital CEO, Gladys Bogoshi also confirmed that Dimpho’s medical state was improving.
“All we can say I say is that he’s doing very well. The main issue is that he was shot around the face, and he’s being attended to by the eye doctors.”
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At his meetings with the families, the minister conveyed his condolences, offered encouraging words and reaffirmed the department's support to the family.
He also commended the University of Johannesburg for its swift reaction and support to the family.
Wits University and UJ have since offered trauma counselling services to students who have been affected by the shooting.
Students gathered in the vicinity of the crime scene for a candlelit ceremony in honour of and seeking justice for David.
