Tiro Moalusi memorial service marred by school officials

mambaonline.com:

15-year-old Tiro Moalusi took his own life after he was allegedly humiliated by a teacher There were chaotic and emotional scenes on Tuesday as Tiro Moalusi was remembered by his grieving schoolmates and family, despite alleged bungling by school officials. The 15-year-old gay Soweto teenager took his own life on 16 August after he was allegedly humiliated by a teacher in class because of his sexuality.

While the Gauteng Education Department says it has launched an investigation into the incident, the LGBTQ community remains angry and frustrated by the continued lack of safety and inclusion in South African schools.

On Tuesday, members of Tiro’s family, his friends, colleagues and representatives of Cosas (Congress of South African Students) gathered at the PJ Simelane Secondary School for a memorial service for the young man.

According to Tiro’s aunt Masingita Khosa, the service was to have been organised by the principal of the school. “He promised us a memorial service and promised to send a Quantum [van] to come to fetch the family.” She claims, however, that the vehicle failed to arrive as scheduled and when Khosa contacted the principal, he informed her that the event had been cancelled by the Department of Education.