The traditional leader of Tshitomboni Tsha Mmbubana outside Thohoyandou, Vhamusanda Vho Vhangani Mmbubana, called on government to improve facilities at schools more specially for pupils from the lower grades who still play during break time.

Mmbubana was speaking during the funeral of a small boy who was crushed to death by a big log while playing with others on the school grounds during break last week.

Vhalusani Mmbubana, a 7-year-old Grade 2 boy at Tshinetise Primary School, died a terrible death after being crushed while playing with others on the log they played on every day.

Speaking during the funeral, Mmbubana said the tragedy could have been averted had there been equipment that children could play on during break. “Poverty in the community has robbed us of a promising boy who would have grown up to be something in the community,” he said.

He added that government and the community should join hands and make sure that there are resources for the kids at school. “Our children should not been playing on dangerous things like this log while there is equipment especially for play that is readily available at shops,” he said. He said it would be a tragedy if the community had to wait for yet another disaster to happen in order to act.

“These children are our future and the future of this country. Let us take care of them and see to it that they grow up well in order for them to be responsible in the future,” he said. He said it was up to the community to decide what to do to improve the conditions at the school. “We are ready to act but that will be decided by the community during a meeting that will be held discuss about this incident,” he said.

The principal of Tshinetise Primary School, Mr Robert Mukwevho concurred with the traditional leader. “We have a problem here which needs urgent attention. We have to do something to improve the infrastructure and also improve the playing field for these children to avoid a recurrence of this accident,” he said. Mukwevho said the school has more needs but they will have to make the issue of playing equipment for the kids a priority.

The father of the boy, Mr Phineas Mmbubana, said the family was saddened by the sudden death of their son. “His sudden and tragic passing has left a void that will take a long time to heal. We were still looking forward to his growing up to be somebody in future, somebody who would take care of us in our old age,” he said. He said they had accepted his death and hoped that something would be done to prevent further tragedies.