Enoch Mpianzi: Parktown Boys’ principal to be reinstated
The Gauteng Education Department said it was disappointed by the decision but added that it was seeking legal counsel on the matter
The Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) has ordered Gauteng’s Education Department to reinstate Malcolm Williams, the principal at Parktown Boys’ High School in Johannesburg. Williams was given the axe after being implicated in the drowning of Enoch Mpianzi, a 13-year-old pupil.
Mpianzi drowned while on an excursion planned by Parktown Boys High School, at the Nyati Bush and River Break Resort, in Brits, January 2020. It is believed that a makeshift raft he and fellow pupils had built in an exercise capsized in the Crocodile River.
Family of Enock Mpianzi reach settlement with Gauteng education department after pupil s death 07 May 2021 - 15:52 Pupils attend the memorial service for Enock Mpianzi at Parktown Boys High on January 28 2020. Mpianzi drowned while at a school orientation camp in Brits, North West. File photo. Image: Sunday Times/Alaister Russell
The Gauteng education department has reached an out-of-court settlement with the Mpianzi family with regards to the death of grade 8 pupil Enock Mpianzi in January 2019.
Mpianzi drowned during a botched orientation camp arranged by Parktown Boys High.
“While conscious to the fact that a young life was lost and will never return, we are hopeful that the out-of-court settlement will bring some comfort and closure to the Mpianzi family, who undoubtedly have been going through a challenging time since the unfortunate passing of Enock,” Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said on Friday.
The 18 year old he was motivated by three specific people throughout his high school career.
“The first is my Mathematics teacher, followed by my Science teacher. At home my mother constantly motivated me.”
He added that alongside academics, he also played for the Parktown Boy’s A team in chess.
The matriculant explained his plan included to pass his first year in Physical Science at the University of the Witwatersrand.
He concluded by advising pupils who were still in school to identify their best studying methods and to never give up.
“Choose the right studying method. Many learners do not achieve their desired goals due to improper studying methods. If possible try different studying methods until you find the right one. Do not give up. If you fall then get up and try again.”