A cloud of grief hangs over Coronationville in Johannesburg after the heartbreaking death of young Manqoba, a learner at Bernard Isaacs Primary School, who lost his life on 2 February 2026 in what his family describes as a deeply troubling and preventable tragedy. His mother, Bongie, is now pleading for answers and justice, saying no parent should ever have to bury a child under such circumstances.
According to Bongie, her son was allegedly locked inside a classroom for an extended period of time. At some point, Manqoba tried to escape by climbing out through a window. In the process, he became stuck and was unable to free himself. Tragically, he is believed to have suffocated while trapped, with no one hearing his cries or noticing his struggle in time to save him.
“It breaks my heart to even think about what my child went through in those final moments,” Bongie said. “He must have been scared and desperate, trying to find a way out, and there was nobody there to help him.”
The family says that for a long time, no one realized what was happening. It was only when a passerby noticed something was wrong and raised the alarm that help was sought. By then, however, it was already too late. Manqoba had lost his life, leaving behind a devastated family, shocked classmates, and a community struggling to come to terms with the loss.
The incident has raised serious questions about safety, supervision, and responsibility within the school environment. Parents in the area have expressed anger and fear, saying schools are supposed to be places of protection, not danger. Many are now demanding a full investigation into how a child could be left alone in a locked classroom and why it took so long for anyone to notice that something was wrong.
Community members have gathered to support the grieving family, offering condolences and calling for accountability. Some have described Manqoba as a cheerful and lively child who loved school and had big dreams for the future. His sudden and tragic death has left a painful gap in the hearts of those who knew him.
Bongie says she is determined to seek justice for her son, not only for her family’s sake but to ensure that no other child ever suffers a similar fate. “I don’t want this to happen to any other parent,” she said. “My son deserved to come home safe. He deserved to be protected.”
As the family mourns, many are urging authorities and the Department of Education to take this matter seriously and to ensure that schools review their safety procedures. Proper supervision, secure but safe classrooms, and clear accountability, they say, are not optional—they are essential to protecting children’s lives.
Manqoba’s death is a painful reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike and how important it is to put children’s safety first, always. The community now waits for answers, hoping that out of this loss, real change will come.
May his young soul rest in peace. 🕊️
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