Alleged discrimination clouds young learner’s moment of triumph

MARBLE HALL

A shocking incident of alleged discrimination has left a Grade 7 learner in tears and sparked outrage in the community.

The pupil, Thando Nduli, a learner from Mathula Primary School outside Monsterlus in Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality (EMLM), was allegedly unfairly disqualified from the Sekhukhune Enrichment Activity, held at Esther Maleka Comprehensive in Marble Hall on Wednesday 20 August 2025.

Thando had participated in the multilingual category for Grade 7 to 9 learners and emerged victorious.

However, her moment of triumph was short-lived as she was allegedly told she couldn’t receive her prize because she is an isiNdebele speaking person.

She alleges that instead, the prizes and participation certificates were awarded to Sepedi speaking learners.

The incident has taken a significant toll on Thando’s emotional well-being. She has since been struggling to focus on her studies and often breaks down in tears at school.

Her family and supporters are calling for immediate action to address the concerns raised by Thando and her family.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage even on social media platforms, and many are demanding a thorough investigation into the matter.

The demand the authorities and organizers of the Sekhukhune Enrichment Activity to take immediate action to determine the facts and ensure that such incidents do not recur.

“Thando deserves recognition and support, and it is essential to prioritize her well-being during this challenging time. The school and relevant authorities must work together to provide Thando with the necessary resources to help her cope with the emotional impact of this incident,” said one of Thando supporters.

Mike Maringa, Limpopo Department of Education Spokesperson, said the department is investigating the matter internally.