Rustenburg- A Grade 11 learner from Michael Modisakeng Secondary School has drowned during a Life Skill Peer Education Seminar at Sparkling Waters Hotel, near Rustenburg in the North West.
The North West Department of Education said it was “devastated” by the untimely death of the 21-year-old learner on Saturday (1 October 2022).
As many as 92 boys from Moretele and Madibeng sub-districts attended the seminar.
The learner drowned in the morning while the learners were engaged in different indoor activities.
Hotel guests, who were close to the swimming pool, alerted authorities that a learner who had jumped into the swimming pool was experiencing difficulties.
Departmental officials removed the learner from the swimming pool and tried cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
The Emergency Service Unit who arrived on the scene declared the learner dead.
Commenting on the tragedy, North West MEC for Education Mmaphefo Matsemela said: “On behalf of the department, I wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and the entire school community of Michael Modisakeng Secondary school.
“This unfortunate incident came unexpectedly.”
Matsemela said the tragedy occurred at a time when Grade 10 and 11 male learners were attending an important Peer Education Seminar, which discussed topical issues such as gender-based violence, prevention of teenage pregnancy, and bullying in school.
“The department is trying its best to educate boy learners about all topics which affect the general society negatively. The aim is to empower boys to be responsible adults when they leave school,” Matsemela said.
“A similar summit was hosted the previous week at Moses Kotane sub-district and the plan is to cover the entire province. Now seeing the seminar ending like this is truly devastating.”
Matsemela said learners have been provided with psycho-social support before they return to their homes.
The Sparkling Waters Hotel and Spa
The Sparkling Waters Hotel website describes the 56-room hotel as being set in 45 hectares of park-like grounds with an award-winning spa, canopy tours, and conference facilities that can accommodate more than 100 delegates.
The Sparkling Waters Hotel is widely believed to be owned by fugitive multi-millionaire preacher and businessman Shepherd Bushiri.
In November 2020, Timeslive reported that the Sparkling Waters Hotel and Spa was one of many commercial entities owned by Bushiri which he left behind when he and his wife Mary skipped bail and clandestinely left SA and sought refuge in his home country, Malawi.
The Bushiris are subjects of an extradition process to SA, where they are wanted on various charges including fraud and money laundering.
